PHOENIX — A man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for crashing his car into a camper and setting it on fire in Yavapai County, authorities announced Monday.
Police say 48-year-old James Haynes crashed his car through two gates and into a camper trailer last October, then set his car on fire and climbed under the trailer in an attempt to get inside from underneath.
The fire quickly engulfed the trailer, police said. Everyone inside the trailer was able to safely escape, but several buildings were completely engulfed in flames. Propane tanks and ammunition began exploding rapidly, police said.
Police said the trailer was occupied by a woman who had a protective order against Haynes.
Officers responded, found Haynes hiding under a trailer and arrested him. An investigation revealed that Haynes had multiple prior charges of violating a protection order and harassment.
Haynes told officers he had taken about 25 Vicodin pills and told authorities he had what appeared to be a suicide note in his pocket.
About eight months later, Haynes was sentenced to 15 years in prison for arson of an occupied structure, arson of a structure or property and domestic violence criminal damage to property.
