Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Arnold Sanchez faces multiple possible charges stemming from an Oct. 20 vehicle crash he allegedly caused while driving intoxicated in a stolen car. Sanchez was hospitalized after the crash. This booking photo is from an assault charge earlier in the month.
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – A man accused of stealing a car and crashing it into another vehicle was hospitalized following a collision on Oct. 20 on Highway 70 at milepost 343 east of Safford.
Arnold Anthony Sanchez Jr., 48, faces multiple possible charges, including theft of means of transportation and DUI. The case is under review by the Graham County Attorney’s Office.
Sanchez already has another case pending that includes charges of assault and disorderly conduct/fighting that was charged earlier this month.
According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report, at about 6:18 p.m. a deputy responded to the area of milepost 343 of Highway 70 for an agency assist regarding a motor vehicle collision. Upon arrival, the deputy noticed a reported stolen silver, 2013 Nissan Altima had apparently crashed into a blue minivan while both were eastbound on Highway 70. The Altima then proceeded to collide with a utility pole before stopping in a cotton field south of the highway. The driver of the minivan was reportedly uninjured, and the damaged Altima was towed from the scene.
The driver of the Altima, later identified as Sanchez, showed signs of intoxication, including a strong odor of alcohol from himself and his vomit, according to the report.
Sanchez suffered a head wound and deep lacerations to his arms and was bleeding. Deputies provided First-Aid until relieved by paramedics, who transported Sanchez for more treatment.
He was eventually taken to a hospital in Tucson, according to Arizona Department of Public Safety Media Relations Specialist Bart Graves. Due to having serious but non-life-threatening injuries, Sanchez was served with papers while at the hospital informing him that his case had been turned over to the County Attorney’s Office for charging.
