On February 22, 2015, at approximately 5:30 p.m., officers from Operations Division South, responded to the report of a vehicle collision on East Valencia Road just west of Tucson Blvd. Upon arrival, officers located a 1997 Ford F-150 pickup truck and a 2012 Ford Mustang that were involved in the collision. All occupants of the Ford F-150 were transported to University of Arizona Medical Center for treatment. The 41-year old male driver and a 12-male year old passanger were transported for non-life threatening injuries. A 61-year old female passenger of the Ford F-150, was transported by Tucson Fire Department with possible life threatening injuries. She died shortly after her arrival. The 27-year old driver of the Mustang sustained minor injuries and was not transported to a medical facility.
Tucson Police Traffic detectives responded to the scene to investigate the collision. They were able to determine that the F-150 was eastbound on Valencia in the median lane. The Mustang exited a private drive just west of Tucson Blvd on the north side of Valencia heading westbound. As he exited the drive, he lost control of his vehicle causing it to jump the median, and strike the F-150, head on.
The investigation revealed that alcohol was a factor in the collision and the 27-year old driver of the Mustang, Paul Sprague, was booked into the Pima County Jail on February 22, 2015 for 1 count of 2nd Degree Murder, 1 count of Aggravated Assault, and 1 count of Endangerment.
The deceased female passenger of the F-150 was identified as 61-year old Ana Quijada. Next of kin have been notified.