Contributed Photo: This semi-truck hauling a Bulk Transportation trailer full of sulphuric acid was engulfed in flames after a Pontiac sedan crossed the center line and collided head-on with the truck Saturday night. The driver of the semi-truck and two occupants of the car were both deceased at the scene.
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – Three people are deceased after a westbound Pontiac sedan crossed the centerline and collided with an eastbound semi-truck hauling a Bulk Transportation trailer full of sulphuric acid on U.S. Highway 70 on Saturday night. Next of kin of all involved have been notified.
The crash occurred around 10 p.m. on U.S. Highway 70 just west of Goodwin Wash between Fort Thomas and Bylas.
After the collision, the Bulk Transportation semi-truck veered off to the southern shoulder and caught fire, while the heavily damaged passenger car went toward the northern shoulder. No acid was spilled from the semi-truck, but HAZMAT teams from both the Arizona Department of Transportation and DPS responded to the scene. Barnett’s Towing removed the tanker, while the Pontiac was removed by Nuttal’s Towing of Safford.
The driver of the Bulk Transportation semi-truck, Francisco Guerrero Jr., 36, of Globe, was deceased at the scene. Guerrero was an owner/operator of the semi-truck and was hauling a Bulk Transportation container filled with sulphuric acid.
Two occupants of the sedan, Isaiah Boni, 32, of Bylas, and Michaelena Wilson, 30, of Bylas were also found deceased at the scene. A third occupant of the sedan, Lambert Bond, 53, of Bylas, was extricated and transported by Air-Evac to Banner – University Medical Center Tucson for treatment, according to a report from DPS Public Information Officer Josh Marotto.
The Air-Evac emergency medical helicopter landed on the highway and was prevented from takeoff for a short delay due to a man flying a drone over the crash scene. A Graham County Sheriff’s Office located the drone operator, identified as Jose Jimenez, 31, of Orlando, Florida, driving a commercial vehicle that was backed up in the westbound lane. The deputy ordered Jimenez to land the drone and he was reportedly combative. The drone was then seized and Jimenez was arrested and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on four counts of endangerment and unlawful operation of an unmanned aircraft.
The highway was closed in both directions around 10 p.m. and wasn’t opened until 3:06 a.m.
DPS would like to thank all those first responders who assisted at the scene, including the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), Safford and Pima Police departments, Graham County Sheriff’s Office, Lifeline Ambulance, Air-Evac, and the Pima, Fort Thomas, and San Carlos Fire departments.
This article was corrected from an earlier version.
