DOUBLE D.U.I. IN COTTONWOOD, ONE MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED

Published on February 26, 2024

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies say a suspected impaired driver suffered serious injuries when his speeding vehicle left the road and went down a steep embankment. Meanwhile, a second DUI suspect was also arrested when he attempted to pass emergency crews, including a helicopter, at the scene.

A deputy noticed a car being driven erratically on Main Street in Cottonwood about 2am February 24th. The vehicle was speeding and crossed the center line several times, and as it turned onto Highway 260, the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the driver turned off all lights and accelerated up to 100mph. Just a few seconds later, the car failed to negotiate a turn, slid off the road and down a 200-foot slope. The driver, a 22-year-old Cottonwood man, was ejected about halfway down the embankment and suffered serious injuries, including a possible neck fracture. Deputies called for a helicopter to transport the man to Flagstaff Medical Center.

As medical personnel were taking the victim to the aircraft, which had landed in the middle of the now-closed highway, deputies and a Sedona PD officer assisting with traffic control saw a vehicle attempting to pass all emergency vehicles and the running helicopter by driving on the shoulder. They were able to finally stop the car, and arrested the driver, a 51-year-old Camp Verde man, on suspicion of DUI.