On the early morning of Saturday October 5, Tucson Police officers responded to a report of a single vehicle collision in the area of Valencia Road and Santa Clara Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a single vehicle rollover involving 5 occupants.
One of the occupants, 19 year old Francisco Yanez, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver, a 20 year old male, and another passenger, an 18-year old male, were transported to a local area hospital with serious injuries. The two other passengers, a 19-year old male and a 17-year old male, were transported to a local area hospital with minor injuries.
Detectives determined that a 2001 Chevy Tahoe was traveling westbound on Valencia Road in the median lane. The vehicle struck the median curb several times, and then lost control rolling over the median into the eastbound lanes of traffic. One of the passengers was ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle rolled and came to rest on top of that passenger, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the collision. None of the vehicle’s occupants were wearing a seat belt.
The driver remains in serious condition at a local area hospital but is expected to survive. His arrest is pending.