Man faces possible aggravated assault charge after crashing head-on while high on heroin

Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Nathan Navarette faces possible charges of aggravated assault, DUI-drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia after crashing his car into another vehicle while allegedly driving high on heroin.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – A Safford man faces a possible charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after crashing head-on into another vehicle Saturday morning while reportedly high on heroin. The crash caused injury to the other driver, who had to be treated at the hospital. 

The reportedly impaired driver, Nathan Navarette, 27, also faces possible charges for aggravated DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges are pending blood test analysis from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. 

According to a Safford Police report, Navarette allegedly admitted to injecting heroin in his vehicle while parked outside of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church at 311 S. Central Ave. Immediately afterward, while feeling the immediate effects of the drug, Navarette said he drove away from the church and must have “went on the nod” as he veered into the opposite lane of traffic while southbound on 8th Avenue. The crash occurred at about 9:43 a.m. near the intersection with 11th Street. 

Navarette, who was found with a spoon and foil with apparent drug residue in his back pocket, said he remembered pulling on the steering will but did not have a clear recollection beyond that of what happened. 

The driver of the other vehicle was interviewed the following day and advised that Navarette’s car was coming at him so fast he didn’t have time to react. The injured driver was treated at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, where he received more than 20 stitches for a deep laceration on his forearm and an additional four to five stitches on his thumb. He also reported having head and neck pain. 

The officer reported Navarette as having two previous DUI-drug arrests within seven years, making this DUI an aggravated offense. After a blood draw was completed for testing purposes, Navarette was given a courtesy ride to his mother’s residence and released. 

Charges, including aggravated assault with a  deadly weapon, aggravated DUI-drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia, are pending lab test results and review by prosecutors.