Contributed Photo/Courtesy SPD: The crash victim’s motorcycle burst into flames after being struck by a truck Saturday, Oct. 12.
By Jon Johnson
jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com
SAFFORD – A motorcyclist was flown to Banner – University Medical Center Tucson on Saturday, Oct. 12, after being struck by a truck that attempted to make a left turn.
According to witnesses and evidence at the scene, motorcyclist Allen Thompson, 43, of Safford was eastbound on U.S. Highway 70 riding with another motorcyclist at about 5:25 p.m. when they approached a red, Chevy Silverado pickup truck in the center turn lane at the intersection with Central Avenue.
The first motorcyclist cleared the intersection, but Thompson was struck by the truck, driven by Marcella Ruiz, 51, of Safford, as she attempted to make a left turn onto Central Avenue. Ruiz allegedly told an officer that the setting sun obscured her vision and after the first motorcycle went by she didn’t see any other traffic and so attempted the turn.
Thompson, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle and it subsequently caught fire. The Safford Fire Department was returning to the station from another call and put out the vehicle fire with fire extinguishers, according to the report.
Thompson reported severe pain in his head, hips, and back, but he was listed in stable condition. After initially being transported to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, he was then flown by a fixed-wing aircraft to UMC for further treatment, according to the police report.
Ruiz was not injured in the crash but was found to be driving on a suspended license. She was given a citation for that issue as well as one for failing to yield while making a left-hand turn and was found at fault for the collision. Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Nutcracker Towing of Pima.
