Fatal collision claims life of 69-year-old San Luis man

One person has died following a crash in Somerton on Sunday morning.

Just after 6:30 a.m., Yuma County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle collision just east of the intersection of Avenue F 3/4 and County 19th Street.

The investigation showed that a red 2016 Dodge Dart, driven by Marianne Chairez, 21, was traveling westbound on County 19th Street.

The driver of a white 1991 Nissan truck, driven by Jesus Banuelos-Cruz, 69, was traveling eastbound.

Chairez passed another vehicle but failed to re-enter the westbound lanes, colliding with the Nissan truck in a head-on collision, according to police.

Authorities said the impact was sufficient to knock off the front driver’s side tire, bend the frame, rupture the gas tank, and knock the rear axle of the pickup truck off.

Banuelos-Cruz was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin has been made.

Chairez, of Gadsden, was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact YCSO at (928)-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.