Flagstaff, Arizona (azfamily) – The off-road adventure turned into a tragedy late Sunday when he rolled over with the four of them near the top of Oak Creek Canyon at 89A in Coconino County.
One of them was 19 months old, when the 17 and 7-year-olds also died at the scene while they were in the car.
With John Paxton Coconino County Sheriff’s Office He said his toddler’s 37-year-old grandfather, Miguel A. Pacheco, was the driver. The child was not in the car seat or wearing a seat belt.
“He’s been charged with DUI, aggravated attacks and a number of other charges,” Paxton said of Pacheco, who is being held on $500,000 in cash-only bonds.
Paxton said these accidents are life-changing for families and are now more common than ever, as off-road vehicles are becoming more advanced.
“This is an issue that has been going on for a while,” he said. “These OHVs have become much faster and much stronger, and they’re even stronger.”
Paxton said lack of speed and safety equipment such as helmets and seat belts is part of the main reasons for serious accidents. Still, even driving slowly with all the correct equipment remains dangerous, like the OHV accident in which a girl lost her arm last year.
“A rollover in which the girl lost her arm and she was buckled,” Paxton said. “She had all of that, but it was clearly a very open vehicle, so her arm came out.”
Holiday weekends are even busier with OHV incidents. So, over the weekend of July 4th, the sheriff’s office will stage near popular off-road areas to provide safe brochures and talk to drivers about protecting themselves.
“Education is always the greatest deterrent to know what’s going on, prevent accidents and injuries, and prevent the loss of a loved one,” Paxton said.
Paxton said that tourism drives the local economy so people need to show up and replicate, but they need to ensure proper licenses and safety equipment.
You can find out more about safety Other OHV requirements here.
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