Truck Driver Assault in Arizona: Ongoing Concerns

San Simon, Ariz. – Nearly a month has passed since a professional truck driver was savagely attacked at a rest area in Cochise County. Unfortunately, the victim is still on life support at St. Joseph’s Hospital, with his situation showing no signs of improvement.

The assault took place on February 15 at around 10 p.m. at a rest stop along Interstate 10, close to San Simon. The doctor who first treated him believes the victim sustained injuries from a blunt force trauma, necessitating multiple surgeries. Lead trauma surgeon Francis Ali Osman confirmed that the driver suffered severe brain damage and had his teeth shattered in the incident. “This level of brain damage is about as serious as it gets,” he remarked.

Two weeks ago, investigators spoke with the victim’s wife, Jennifer, who prefers to keep her last name private. She identifies her husband as Jack. They’ve been married for more than 30 years and have three children together, all originally from Georgia. Jennifer remains hopeful for Jack’s recovery, reflecting that seeing him like this feels like her “sky is down, my world.” She also expressed frustration regarding the absence of security cameras in the rest area, saying, “It would make it easier to find the assailant if there were cameras. People know they’re being watched.”

Chorus Nulander, the Chief Investigative Reporter for News 4 Tucson, asked Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dunnell about the potential benefits of surveillance systems in that area. Sheriff Dunnell acknowledged that having cameras would indeed facilitate their investigation and help deliver justice for victims.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) manages the state’s rest areas. News 4 Tucson reached out to ADOT to inquire about the lack of security cameras and whether the recent attack might prompt any changes. ADOT responded with a statement indicating they currently have no immediate plans to install surveillance due to challenges linked to the locations and the size of rest areas. They mentioned having caretakers on site, including at San Simon, and stated they coordinate with law enforcement when incidents occur.

However, this response did not sit well with Sheriff Dunnell, who criticized the lack of action. He noted that his office was not contacted by ADOT during the attack and had to make a concerted effort to reach out. “Caretakers aren’t there to provide security; they’re there to clean up,” he emphasized.

Following the assault, one of the resident caretakers, Erica Rios, shared her experience, stating she only became aware of the situation upon seeing emergency vehicles arrive. Even days later, she remained unclear about what had transpired. “Today, I barely found out what happened,” she remarked.

Sheriff Dunnell mentioned that his investigative team is increasingly concerned about safety at rest areas, noting a rise in crime. He suggested that if ADOT cannot commit to enhancing security measures like cameras, closing the rest area may become necessary. “There needs to be some degree of prevention in public areas, especially at night,” he stated.

For Jennifer, this incident emphasizes the need for serious consideration of safety, and she hopes the assailant will be held accountable. “I just want justice for my husband,” she concluded.

If anyone has information related to this story, they can reach out to News 4 Tucson investigators at rickates@kvoa.com or call the tipline at 520-955-4444.