By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – The identity of the driver of a pickup truck in a fatal collision with a farm tractor has been released, along with additional information from the crash.
A fatal multi-vehicle collision blocked all four lanes of Highway 70 west of Palmer Lane on the afternoon of Nov. 5.
According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report, the crash occurred just before 3:30 p.m. when an eastbound white pickup truck failed to move over for a slow-moving eastbound farm tractor, resulting in a violent impact that sent the pickup flipping multiple times.
The first deputy on scene found the driver of the pickup, identified as Manuel M. Chacon, 70, lying face down in the roadway behind his heavily damaged vehicle. Chacon was breathing but unresponsive, with a large pool of blood coming from his head. Emergency crews transported him by ambulance to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center in critical condition. He was then airlifted to a Tucson hospital for additional treatment and was pronounced deceased on Nov. 7.
At the scene of the crash, a farm tractor was on the south shoulder facing eastbound, and a semi-truck that witnessed the crash was stopped in the center turn lane. The tractor driver told police he was traveling eastbound when the pickup struck him, causing the pickup to roll. He was uninjured and declined medical treatment.
The semi-truck driver, who was also eastbound, reported that traffic was shifting into the fast lane to pass the slow-moving tractor, but the white pickup remained in the inside lane and collided with the tractor. The witness stated he has dash-camera footage of the entire incident and is working to download it for Arizona Department of Public Safety investigators.
Pima Police officers, Graham County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and Arizona DPS troopers diverted westbound traffic onto the shoulder and routed eastbound traffic via Webster Road while the scene was processed. Officers positioned patrol vehicles to shield Chacon from passing motorists until medics could load him into the ambulance.
The highway was fully reopened after several hours, once the vehicles and the scene were cleared.
DPS is leading the ongoing investigation.
The Graham County Sheriff’s Office reminds motorists to be on the lookout for farm vehicles during harvesting season.
Safety First: Tips to navigate harvest hazards
With shorter days and cooler temperatures settling in, visibility challenges compound the risks. Emergency officials urge drivers to stay vigilant, particularly at dawn and dusk when farm equipment is often on the move. Here are key reminders to help keep everyone safe this harvest season:
- Slow down around farm machinery: Tractors and trailers travel much slower than standard traffic—often under 25 mph. Approaching too quickly can lead to rear-end collisions.
- Give extra space for wide loads: Oversized equipment, such as cotton modules or balers, extends well beyond lane lines. Maintain at least 10-15 feet of clearance to avoid clipping hazards.
- Pass only when it’s safe: Use turnouts if available, and never pass on blind curves, hills, or in no-passing zones. Double-check for oncoming traffic and farm signals.
- Stay alert, especially at dawn and dusk: Dust from fields, low light, and fatigue can impair judgment. Minimize distractions, obey speed limits, and scan for slow-moving vehicle triangles.
