Wilhoit resident Thomas Cavanaugh, was killed on December 21, 2018, in a single vehicle collision after driving away from the Burrow Inn Bar, in Wilhoit.
According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, witnesses saw the 59-year-old Cavanaugh squealing his tires as he left the parking lot. Another witness heard an engine revving and then heard a crash.
Witnesses then found Cavanaugh’s vehicle which had hit a berm at the intersection of Canterbury Drive and Stevenage Lane.
The Sheriff’s Department reports that Cavanaugh’s vehicle was traveling Canterbury towards Stevenage Lane when it came to the T-Intersection, skidded and then impacted the berm causing major damage to the vehicle.
The investigation revealed that Cavanaugh was not wearing his seatbelt during the collision and impacted the steering wheel causing the steering wheel to break.
Cavanaugh had labored breathing upon arrival of Southern Yavapai Fire and was removed from the vehicle, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. Within minutes of EMS arrival Cavanaugh stopped breathing. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Concurrent with the collision investigation, Deputies were sent to the Burrow Inn to gather information about the alcohol consumption of Cavanaugh prior to the incident. Currently available information confirms that Cavanaugh did consume alcoholic beverages prior to leaving the Burrow Inn.