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FATALITY COLLISION - ROLLOVER AT 88TH ST & AVE 1E
On Sunday, January 19, 2025, at about 11:27 a.m., Yuma Police officers responded to a single vehicle rollover at 88th Street (W. County 18th Street) and Avenue 1E.
The initial investigation revealed that an 18-year-old male, driving a 1994 Ford Ranger, was traveling southbound on Avenue 1E when he lost control and rolled the vehicle, ejecting the passenger, an 18-year-old female.
Both the driver and passenger were transported to Onvida Health. The 18-year-old female was pronounced deceased at Onvida Health. The family of Ashley,the passenger, has shared a GoFundMe account: https://gofund.me/d08518c7
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The 18-year-old male driver has minor injuries.
This case is still under investigation. Speed appeared to be a factor.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 783-4421 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
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FATALITY COLLISION - SOUTH AVENUE E & CLIP STREET
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On Friday, January 17, 2025, at approximately 4:49 PM, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) responded to a report of a single vehicle collision in the area of S. Avenue E and W. Clip Street.
The initial investigation revealed a 1984 Jeep Scrambler was traveling eastbound on Clip Street from Avenue E when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway and rolled over into a farm field.
Field workers in the area reported the collision and attempted to render aid to the driver who was unresponsive. YCSO Deputies and Rural Metro Fire Department arrived and continued to perform life-saving measures. The driver ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene.
The driver was identified as Douglas Lee, 78, of Yuma, AZ. Next of kin has been notified.
This case remains under investigation at this time. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this collision.
Anyone with information regarding this case, please contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. You can also visit our website at www.yumacountysheriff.org[yumacountysheriff.org] to submit an anonymous tip.
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SERIAL BURGLARY ARREST
Over the course of several weeks between December 28th, 2024, through January 16th, 2025, the Yuma Police Department received a total of seven reports of vehicle burglaries that occurred throughout various retail establishments within the City of Yuma. The stolen credit cards belonging to the victims were used at various locations throughout the city.
Through a collaborative effort involving Yuma City police detectives, patrol officers and public safety technicians, 43-year-old Michael Anthony Lopez was identified as the suspect.
On Thursday, January 16, 2025, at approximately 7:08 p.m., Michael Anthony Lopez was located by Yuma Police Department detectives and patrol officers within a parking lot at the Yuma Palms Mall. Michael Anthony Lopez was arrested and booked into Yuma County Detention Center without incident.
The Yuma Police Department wants to warn everyone to not leave valuables in your vehicles, especially in plain view.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to call the Yuma Police Department at 928-373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
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CHILD ABUSE SENTENCING
On Tuesday, May 21st, 2024, Arizona Department of Child Safety notified Yuma Police Department that a five-month-old child with head injuries was flown from Yuma Regional Medical Center to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for further treatment. As a result of this notice, Yuma Police Department Detectives worked in collaboration with Phoenix Police Department, and Department of Child Safety where the incident location was identified in the 8500 block of E. 38th St.
On Friday, May 24th, 2024, and as a result of this collaborative investigation, the father of the child, 41-year-old Christiano Toilolo, was arrested for multiple offenses to include child abuse and aggravated assault.
UPDATE: Since the arrest, Christiano Toilolo remained at Yuma County Detention Center (YCDC) and had his sentencing hearing on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Christiano Toilolo was sentenced to 17 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections (AZ DOC) for child abuse offenses. The child has been recovering and is expected to require ongoing treatment.
The Yuma Police Department is unwavering in its commitment to partner with local and statewide professionals to ensure that those who harm children are held fully accountable. Protecting our youth is a shared responsibility, and together we can make a difference in our community.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
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MCAS-YUMA SHARES DRONE REMINDERS
Takeoff, flights, and landing of remote-controlled or unmanned aircraft (drones) are prohibited on MCAS Yuma properties, including the main installation, Cannon Air Defense Complex, BMGR-W, and Chocolate Mountain Bombing Ranges.
Unauthorized UAS may be disabled, damaged, destroyed or confiscated. Unauthorized UAS operators may be subject to criminal prosecution, fines, and loss of operator privileges.
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SERIOUS INJURY COLLISION
On Monday, January 13, 2025, at about 12:14 p.m., Yuma Police officers responded to a call of an injury collision in the 400 block of Avenue A.
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The initial investigation revealed that a 29-year-old male, driving a 2015 Mazda 3, was traveling westbound 5th Street when the driver failed to stop at the stop sign at Avenue A and collided with a 1992 Ford F250, driven by a 61-year-old-male, who was traveling southbound on Avenue A. The driver of the F250 was ejected as the vehicle rolled. The passenger of the Mazda 3, a 20-year-old male, fled on foot from the scene, but was located by officers. The driver of the Mazda 3 was transported to Onvida Health with moderate injuries. The driver of the F250 was also transported to Onvida Health and further taken to a Phoenix area hospital with serious injuries. The passenger of the Mazda 3 had minor injuries and refused treatment.
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This case is still under investigation. Speed and alcohol appear to be a factor.
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The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 783-4421 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
Information Released By: Sergeant Lori Franklin
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FATALITY COLLISION - 4 DECEASED
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at about 2:52 a.m., Yuma Police officers responded to a call of a vehicle vs house in the 2800 block of S. 48th Way.
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The initial investigation revealed that a 19-year-old male, driving a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, was traveling southbound on Avenue D when it left the roadway and rolled through a brick wall, colliding into a residence. The vehicle was occupied by the driver and five passengers.
The 19-year-old male driver and three passengers were pronounced deceased on scene. The deceased passengers were two 20-year-old males and a 22-year-old male. The two other passengers, an 18-year-old male and a 20-year-old male, were transported to Onvida Health with non-life-threatening injuries. There were three occupants inside the residence. One of the residents, a 37-year-old female, was also transported to Onvida Health with non-life-threatening injuries.
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According to YPD, this case is still under investigation. At this time, speed and alcohol appear to be a factor.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 783-4421 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
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STRIKE TEAM DEPLOYMENT TO CALIFORNIA FIRES
On Thursday 1/8/2025, at around 3:45 pm, the Yuma Fire Department answered a mutual aid request from California authorities regarding a “single resource deployment” to the “Pacific Palisades Fire” burning in Los Angeles County. The Yuma Fire Department dispatched an Engine Company and four personnel to the incident.
Historically, the Yuma Fire Department responds as a part of a Strike Team. A Strike Team consists of several firefighting apparatus with personnel and a team leader drawn from various departments. The request for the “Pacific Palisades” incident was different, requesting a specific apparatus with firefighting foam capability. The Yuma Fire Department employs multiple apparatus with this capability and fulfilled the request.
We have limited information about what specific area the YFD personnel will be assigned to, however we have been made aware they will be assisted with “Air Operations.” Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. The last time YFD personnel were deployed with a strike team or task force was in August of 2024.
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SCAM ALERT
Scammers have setup several friend pages using the Silver Spur Rodeo logo and information. According to the Silver Spur legitimate Facebook page, these fake pages seem to be listed as "live" so they're probably charging an enormous amount for someone to watch the rodeo. These are all invalid sites and PLEASE REPORT THEM ALL.
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The only place to get rodeo tickets online is at Yumarodeo.com or in person at Tractor Supply foothills location, Lerma Feed in Somerton, CAL Ranch Store and Visitors Bureau.
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The real page has over 6,600 likes and over 7.600 followers - I posted the most recent page header below for reference. Do not be scammed!
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FATALITY COLLISION UPDATE
Location of Incident: S. Avenue 36 E and westbound Interstate 8 Exit Ramp - Yuma, AZ
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Update: The victim of the fatal collision has been identified as Ijah Se’lah Smith, 34, of Atlanta, GA. Next of kin notification has been made.
This case remains under investigation at this time.
Original – December 20, 2024 – 3:00 PM
On December 20, 2024, at approximately 10:03 AM, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a deceased subject located in the area of S. Avenue 36 E at the westbound Interstate 8 exit ramp.
The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau responded and assumed the investigation.
The initial investigation indicates a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle which departed the scene. The victim sustained fatal injuries as result of the collision.
This case remains under investigation at this time.
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