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Chad Kasmar
Chief of Police
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Date: 4/6/2024
TDD: (520) 791-2639 |
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FATAL VEHICLE COLLISION
6800 BLOCK OF SOUTH ALVERNON WAY |
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On the morning of April 5, 2024, patrol officers from Operations Division South and members of the Tucson Fire Department were dispatched to a serious-injury collision in the 6800 block of S. Alvernon Way, near E. Alvernon Point Drive. Police and Fire arrived just before 7:00 a.m. and evaluated the involved drivers. The driver of a green 1998 GMC SUV had sustained extensive injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers identified the driver as 29-year-old Joellen Maria Gonzalez. Her family was notified of her passing. The other involved driver, identified as a 52-year-old male, was transported to Banner University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Detectives from the Traffic Investigations Unit were contacted and responded to continue the investigation.
Interviews in conjunction with roadway evidence determined that the GMC was traveling southbound on Alvernon Way when it drove left of center, across a center multi-use lane, and into oncoming traffic. The GMC then struck a 2022 Polestar sedan that was traveling north on Alvernon. Evidence indicates that Ms. Gonzalez was traveling well above the posted 45 MPH speed limit when she potentially had a tire failure causing her to lose control of her vehicle.
An officer from the DUI Unit responded to the hospital and determined that the driver of the Polestar was not impaired at the time of the collision and that his injuries were no longer considered life threatening. Any impairment within Ms. Gonzalez may be determined later on via medical records.
Traffic Detectives listed excessive speed, driving left of center and potential tire failure as the major contributing factors of the collision. The investigation remains on going and no charges or citations have been issued.
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For 2023 - 26
Pedestrian - 10
Bicycle - 2
Motorcycle - 3
Vehicle - 11
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For 2024 - 32
Pedestrian - 15
Bicycle - 3
Motorcycle - 6
Vehicle - 8
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