Hermosillo has been booked on the following charges:

 (1) count of Felony Aggravated Assault – involving serious physical injury

• (3) counts of Felony Criminal Damage (exceeding over $150,000 total)
• (5) counts of Reckless, Felony Endangerment (with a substantial risk of imminent death or physical injury)

 On May 19, 2009 at about 12:57 A.M., Hermosillo traveled wrong way or westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-10 at milepost 164 (near Firebird Lake) when he sideswiped a pickup, collided head-on with a Semi-truck with trailer and then collided into a Chevrolet Impala sedan.  As a result of the collision, the semi-truck jack-knifed and came to rest in the center median before becoming fully engulfed in flames.  Fortunately both the driver and the co-driver of the semi escaped with only minor injuries.  Four people were transported to valley hospitals as a result of the collision, including Hermosillo. Both Hermosillo and the driver of the Impala sustained serious physical injuries from the collision.  Extensive emergency personnel from six valley Fire Departments were required to extricate Hermosillo and simultaneously fight the large fire.  Because of the amount of emergency personnel and the extensive clean up required for the semi-truck, the eastbound lanes of I-10 were shut down for almost six hours with the westbound lanes closed for just over an hour and a half.  As a result of a criminal investigation, it was determined alcohol impairment was a factor in the collision.

“This is a major tragedy for the families involved and for members of
the Department.  Both Mike and Donna are highly respected members of the
Department.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Donna and Mike’s families
and the members of our department who are processing this tragic event
while continuing to provide law enforcement services to the community.
Thank you to all of you who have expressed your sympathy.” stated Police
Chief Larry Ratcliff.

Donna M. Cullum, 45 years old
Started with Peoria in March 2000 working in Public Works- Fleet
Maintenance as a Senior Office Assistant. In May 2003 she come to the
Police Department as a Police Services Officer.

Michael A. Gauchat,41 years old
Started with the Police Department as an officer in February, 1990 and
was assigned to the Traffic Services Section as a Commercial Vehicle
Inspector.

A semi truck rests on top of an El Camino

under the command of Battalion Chief Don Evans.  Rescue 31 and Engine 31 were first on scene to discover a total of eight vehicles and a semi truck covering over a quarter mile of the highway including two vehicles on fire and the semi on top of an El Camino.  An emergency call went out for additional rescue ambulances.  Patient triage began immediately.  Fortunately, there were no critical patients or patients with life-threatening injuries.  Engine 31 extinguished the two vehicles on fire.

 Most of the eight patients transported to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center were in serious condition.

 Clark County Fire Department from Laughlin, Nevada responded with an Engine and Ambulance along with American Medical Rescue for mutual aid.  Their assistance was paramount.

 The Bullhead City Police Department closed down North bound traffic on Highway 68 and limited South bound traffic to one lane.  This would continue past 1700 hrs.

The semi lost its brakes striking some vehicles and spinning them into other vehicles.  The semi truck and trailer was carrying 41,000 of corrosive Potassium Siliconate.  The contents of the truck were not disturbed.

(Photo Courtesy: Bullhead City Fire Department)

Six people lost their lives on Arizona highways during the three day weekend in five separate collisions. The collisions occurred statewide and included the following:

On May 22, 2009, at 8:38 a.m., a tan Cadillac was westbound on Interstate 10 about 12 miles east of Quartzsite when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle went off the road and rolled killing a passenger riding in the vehicle
Passenger-Deceased: Alprentice R. Smith, 37, Pomona, California

On May 24, 2009, at 1:33 a.m., a White Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling southbound on the Loop 303 at milepost six in Litchfield Park when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle went left of center and collided head-on with a semi-truck loaded with produce. The driver of the pickup truck was pronounced dead at the scene.

Vehicle #1 White Chevrolet pickup truck
Driver- Deceased: Nathan R. Pederson, 33, Avondale

On May 25, 2009, at 9:47 p.m., a grey Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling westbound on Interstate 40 near Holbrook when, for some unknown reason, the vehicle struck a guardrail and rolled, ejecting the passenger riding in the vehicle.
Passenger-deceased: Candice Long, 47, Glendale
Driver-injured: Samuel Long, 44, Glendale/admitted Little Colorado Medical Center

On May 25, 2009, at 3:05 p.m., a Ford Expedition SUV was traveling southbound on Interstate 15 at milepost 26.5 (near the Utah border) when a tire failure contributed to the driver losing control, causing the vehicle to roll in the median. Six people onboard the vehicle were ejected. Ten were transported to Dixie Regional Hospital. A total of 11 people were riding in the van.
Passenger-deceased: Jose Alvarez, 29, Panorama City, California
Driver-uninjured: Martha Anaya, 35, Panorama City, California

*On May 25, 2009, at 9:27 p.m., a wrong way driver traveling southbound on the northbound lanes of Interstate 17 struck an SUV head-on along with three other vehicles. We have two confirmed fatalities from that collision. Identities have not been released pending notification of family.*