On Thursday, December 8, 2016, just after 6:30 a.m., Pima County deputies responded to the area of South Camino Loma Alta and East Old Spanish Trail for the report of a collision.
When deputies arrived, they located two vehicles with extensive damage blocking travel on Camino Loma Alta, just south of Old Spanish Trail.
One of the vehicles involved was a marked patrol unit belonging to the Sahuarita Police Department, and was driven by Lieutenant Matthew McGlone at the time of the accident. Lieutenant (Lt.) McGlone and the driver of the other vehicle, 75-year-old Anthony Zangara, were immediately transported to the hospital.
Lt. McGlone is being treated for minor injuries while Mr. Zangara was being treated for more serious injuries. At approximately 5:51 p.m., Mr. Zangara succumbed to injuries sustained during the collision. Lieutenant McGlone of the Sahuarita Police Department is still recovering from his injuries at this time.
The Traffic Unit responded to the scene and is handling the investigation. Traffic investigators learned that Lt. McGlone was travelling northbound on Camino Loma Alta while Mr. Zangara was travelling southbound. Mr. Zangara’s orange-colored Scion hatchback crossed the centerline in the roadway, and caused a head-on collision with Lt. McGlone’s department vehicle.
Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash. Investigators are still looking into what caused Mr. Zangara to veer into oncoming traffic.