A Cocopah Indian Tribe council member in southern Yuma County was killed in a two-vehicle crash last weekend.

Yuma County Sheriff's Office officials said Irwin Twist, 75, of Summerton, was driving a Ford F-150 truck when the driver of a Toyota Tacoma failed to stop for a flashing stop sign at the intersection of County 14th Street and Avenue C. The driver of the Toyota struck the Ford around 9:10 p.m. Friday.

The driver of the Ford and two passengers were taken to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where Twist was pronounced dead, the sheriff's department said.

The driver and another passenger, whose name has not been released, suffered serious injuries, authorities said. The driver was later airlifted to a Phoenix-area hospital.

Sheriff's officials said the incident remains under investigation and that intoxication and speed appear to have been factors in the crash.

“We have received the tragic news that on the evening of June 21, 2024, Cocopah Tribal Council member Irwin Twist was involved in a motor vehicle accident and unfortunately passed away,” Cocopah Tribal Chair Shelley Cordova said in a statement.

“This is a shock to the Cocopah Tribe, his family and all who knew him. He was a city councilman with many plans for the future, a military veteran, a family man, but above all else, a friend. His passing will leave a great sense of loss in our community and to all who knew him. We are heartbroken by this unexpected and senseless loss and our prayers go out to his family.”

The Border Health Regional Center, which provides medical services in Yuma and La Paz counties, described Twist on its Facebook page as “a longtime friend of RCBH who, along with (President and CEO) Amanda Aguirre, played a key role in bringing the 'With Veterans' program to the Cocopah community, the first such program in the nation to be installed on the reservation.”

“Our deepest condolences to the Twist family at this sad time. Rest in peace Mr Twist, we miss you very much.”