16-year-old Andy Karkutt died about 10pm, on 20 Oct 2018, when the car he was in left the road and rolled down the mountainside on Hwy 88 near Canyon lake. The driver was the 23 year boyfriend of Andy's sister. The driver was arrested and charged with manslaughter, his BAC was almost 3 times the legal limit.
Smith, CJ "Frank Cornelous Smith V" and Nolan Edward- were tragically taken from their family on January 9, 2009. CJ, born February 4, 1997, had big brown eyes and was a sports fanatic. He loved to read, text his many friends, had a huge heart and winsome smile. Nolan, born November 12, 2002, had sparkling blue eyes and very blonde hair. He was never without a baseball hat and some kind of ball. He followed in his brother's footsteps and he always made you laugh. They loved school, their teachers, and learning. They were very competitive with each other, whether it was in sports, video games, riding scooters, bikes, or who loved who more. | eastvalleytribune.com
A 19-year-old Mesa man was sentenced to 24 years in prison for a drunken driving crash that killed the 11- and 6-year-old brothers. Cuevas and a friend drank vodka and beer before leaving on what was supposed to be a quick trip. Cuevas borrowed a 1985 Nissan truck from a friend. At about 10 p.m. the truck sped westbound on Elliot Road, ran a stop sign at Sossaman Road and barreled into a 2000 Saturn that was making a left onto Elliot from Sossaman. Cuevas ran from the crash, but investigators were able to put him behind the wheel by shoe impressions left on the brake and accelerator pedals and a partial palm print on the stick shift, according to court documents. The crash also injured the boys' parents. eastvalleytribune.com
Steven Henson died in a motorcycle accident on 23 October 2021 on Gilbert road near Hwy 247. He was trying to avoid an accident.
Jeremy Janoe was in a fatal accident on July 14, 2019, and passed early July 15, 2019.
From his obituary - Jeremy enjoyed anything that had to do with outdoors like fishing, camping, riding, shooting and kayaking. He will be remembered for his loving and caring heart. No matter what anyone put him through, he always pulled through and there was never a time that he wasn’t one call away. He always knew how to have a good time and bring a smile to everyone’s face. You could say he was the life of every party. Jeremy was never afraid to show who he was and speak his mind. He didn’t care who judged him or didn’t like him, all he cared about was that he was having a good time and making his loved ones happy.
Armondo Andaverde died driving across a train track in 1976. Somewhere around April 1976 one of the local basketball players, Armondo Andaverde, drove by my house while I was washing a car outside. We lived in a fairly remote location and not many cars drove by so I clearly remember him looking over at me and waving with his music blaring load enough for me to hear a long way away. Rumor had it that Armondo had received a basketball scholarship to attend ASU, a first for our little town. Seemed like just a few minutes had passed when an ambulance with its siren on went flying by. We later found out Armond had started to go over the railroad tracks at a rural crossing. The crossing, on what is now AZ Hwy 87 and Ralston Road, did not have any warning lights or barrier arms. Armondo’s car was hit by a train at high speed and he probably died instantly. I’m not sure if the loud music played a part or not. At some point, his family put up a metal memorial cross near the railroad tracks. Because it was so close to our home, I saw this cross almost every day for three to four years and it always reminded me how fragile life is and to pay more attention while driving. Later in life, I frequently passed by this memorial on trips between Phoenix and Yuma and would point out the memorial to family and friends and tell them Armondo’s story. In about 2010, when the railroad was expanding the tracks to two rails, the cross disappeared. I assumed it was lost or buried during railroad construction or maybe it was returned to family but I still look for it every time I pass this intersection and it bothers me some when I don’t see it. I often wished I’d at least taken a picture of the memorial. This is one of the stories that led to building this collection of roadside memorials.
Sometime in 1976, I was officially learning to drive on a learners permit. While out on the county roads we came upon a very bad accident. A car with a family of eight people inside had been waiting at a stop sign heading East on Papago road near Maricopa Arizona. They were waiting for traffic on the busier cross-road, now called Highway 347, to clear when an inattentive driver in another car hit them from behind. The impact had pushed the car with the eight people in it, into the intersection where a large fast-moving truck hit them broadside. All eight people in the car were instantly killed, including several children and a baby. My Dad, wanting to teach me about the dangers of driving, had me stop, walk over to the accident scene, and then look at the carnage through the cars shattered windows. Unbelievably, the officers on the scene let him do this. Although I’m absolutely positive it made me a safer driver, I don’t recommend anything like this as parenting technique because it left a lifelong hole in my heart that I frequently, and horrifically recall. To this day, when I drive near that same remote intersection a I can’t help but feel a deep sense of remorse for the family nor can I keep that image seen through the car window from coming into my head. This is one of the stories that led to building this collection of roadside memorials.
I'm not sure the memorial in the picture was for the same accident I saw, but they were in the same location except there were only 6 crosses?
Ted Warren Morton was jogging along Hwy 188 when he was struck and killed by a passing automobile on September 19, 2016. His wife had passed away 8 years earlier at a nearby area when she made a wrong turn and accidently drove off a boat ramp and drowned. Not mentioned in his obituary information below was that he was a Vietnam helicopter pilot and a fishing guide for the local Lakes. [Summary from the Payson Roundup, 23 Sep 2016, pg1]
Obituary Published by The Arizona Republic on Sep. 28, 2016; Ted was born in Sulphur, Oklahoma on November 11, 1941. He grew up in southern Oklahoma with a very loving family, Raymond and Irene, brother "Buddy" and sister Carol. He enjoyed the company of many relatives on both sides of the family. His outgoing personality and enthusiastic sense of humor brought many friends into his life. As a young boy, he was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. As a teenager, he raised hogs for show and brought home many winning ribbons. He also loved playing on the high school football team! After high school, he joined the US Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, CA and served honorably for 4 years. While there, he participated in rodeos and won several bull riding ribbons. After the Marine Corps Ted moved to Scottsdale, AZ. There he married Janice McFair and they had three children, Jana, Deanna and Joe Don. Ted began his thirty plus years career as a corporate jet pilot with his most memorable times flying for Phil Michelson. Later, Ted married Mary Lou Zachow and they had two sons, Zac and Jess. He is survived by seven grandchildren: Allye, Taylor, Maddie, Jack, Braden, Cale and Phoenix. The last several years, Ted and his family have been blessed with the special friendship of Dee Patrick. Ted was a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed by all.
Rose, Shawn and Jessie were killed in a head-on crash near Florence on State Route 79 on Tuesday 8 March 2022. At about 4:14 p.m as their vehicle was traveling north on SR 79 near Florence Junction, they attempted to pass another vehicle and entered the southbound lane while a third vehicle was approaching in that lane. The driver of their car who was attempting to pass, tried to get back into the northbound lane but apparently overcorrected and lost control. The southbound vehicle skidded across the lane toward the shoulder and collided with the passenger side of their car after they attempted to pass. The impact caused their northbound vehicle to roll. The back seat passenger of their vehicle was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and front passenger of their vehicle were found dead in their seats. No injuries were reported for the occupants of the southbound vehicle. [summarized from the Florence Blade-Tribune on 9 Mar 2022.
Kimberly Joann Grassi died on 25 Feb 2002 just 3 days before her 18th birthday. Her memorial marker is on State Route 79 between Florence and Oracle Junction. She graduated from Buena High School in Sierra Vista in 2001. There was no obituary, news article or grave site found while researching her accident. Her roadside memorial is well maintained and she still has a story to tell.
Kimberly's mom added to this story: Kimberly had been traveling down the road to Florence Prison to see her boyfriend early in the morning. We believe she fell asleep and when her car started to go off the road she woke up and over-corrected the vehicle which rolled and was thrown out of the car. She was always told to wear her seat belt. She was a wonderful daughter who was very strong-willed and had a mind of her own. I had asked her not to go that morning but she insisted I let her go. She had just started college in September. She is survived by her dad in Las Vegas, her mom in Sierra Vista and her sister in Las Vegas. Plus 2 nephews.. Her wish was to be cremated when she died. She had expressed her wishes to her mother about 6 months before her fatality. Her parents try to keep her memorial refreshed with beautiful fake flowers often. She was very loved and we continue to miss her beautiful smile. Her boyfriend’s family members provided the beautiful cross that has her name.
Arturo Cordova 19 Mar 2022.
Information from Arturo’s obituary and “GoFundMe” site: On March 19 Arturo Cordova, left behind his wife, two children and an extended family. His life was taken though the recklessness of a driver under the influence of alcohol and drugs near Coolidge Arizona on Highway 287. His family witnessed the terrible accident. Arturo was a very happy person and much loved by all. We infected us with his laughter by his friendly and charismatic way, which always made people smile. He was a hard-working man who always looked after his children and his beloved wife, he loved them with all his life, being the support for them. Rest in peace Arturo Cordova fly very high you will never be forgotten. God took you to soon and the whole family is in mourning and with an emptiness in our hearts.
Dana “Mucho” Machado died on 23 Sep 2018 in Mesa Arizona on Baseline road between Power and Sossoman roads. Dana Scott “Mucho” Machado died tragically on the morning of Sunday, September 23, 2018.Dana was born June 23, 1981 in Boulder, Colorado. Dana grew up in Colorado and moved to the desert southwest more than a decade ago for his bride-to-be. Though Dana adjusted quickly to the hot Arizona summers, and loved to swim, he always missed the mountains and seasons of Colorado. Dana was a lifelong learner and prided himself on being an informed citizen. He was always bettering himself, simultaneously working and going to school, striving for more and determined to make the best life possible for his wife and sons. Dana was a truly kind and generous man. He had a warm heart, was always welcoming, supportive and willing to lend a helping hand to others. Dana was passionate in his beliefs but accepting of differences in others. He loved music, Mexican food, reading, his dogs (boxers), Star Wars, and movies in general, beer, gaming, cars, all things tech, and the great outdoors. Dana’s absence in our lives will leave an indelible scar, a pain and loss we will all carry for the rest of our lives. We are grateful for Dana’s life, for the joy his existence brought to the world, and we will honor him now by ensuring his children know the kind of man they called dad. Dana is survived by his wife Jessica, sons Christian and River, his mother Sherry Roberts, father David Machado, sister Danielle Kekoa, grandparents Terri and James Roberts, and numerous extended relations and friends that consider Dana family.
Richard "Mac" Ware died from injuries sustained 4 days after a car accident near Coolidge Arizona on what is now Interstate 10. Mac was driving East on the highway when he struck the rear of another car from behind that had slowed down to turn off the highway. Mac's car went out of control and skidded off the road then crashed into the corner of a building on the North side of the road. Mac had served in the Air Corp during the last years of WWII and had recently been married, and was recently promoted to a manager position at the cotton gin where he worked. He left a wife, a brother and his parents. Mac was the uncle I never knew.
Billie Jeanne Bymoen - 1980. Billie's memorial marker is on Highway 77 near mile marker 92. Billie Higbee attended several schools but while attending Tucson High School she was part of the Art Club, Honor Society, Honer Service club, Red Cross, Rodeo club, and the Girls League. Billie graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Biology then went to work at the Naval Weapons Center in ChinaLake, California. She married on 1968 and had a son in 1970 She had several horses she named Frosty and Flake. Her memorial marker is made of metal with welding beads used for her name and it still looks new even after over 40 years.
Gerardo Arthur Becerra - 20 Oct 2020. Born 15 Dec 1985. Geraldo has a public long live face book page that has pictures and some of his story. https://www.facebook.com/people/Long-Live-Arthur-Becerra/100063724865083/
On 15 July 2017, ten members of the Garcia family died when a flash flood hit a popular summer swimming spot called "Cold Springs" along the Water Wheel trail North of Payson Arizona. The family was celebrating Maria Raya-Garcia's 27th birthday. Only 3 members of the group making the afternoon trip survived the flood. The Arizona Central newspaper link at the bottom of this section provides a heart warming, powerful, and well written story about the flood and the family (they give a few free article views without a subscription).
Maria Raya-Garcia, 27: her three children, Emily Garnica, 3; Mia Garnica, 5; and Daniel Garnica, 7. Hector Miguel Garnica, 27, Maribel Raya-Garcia, 24; her daughter, Erika Raya-Garcia, 2; Javier Raya-Garcia, 19; Selia Garcia Castaneda, 57, Jonathan Leon Garcia, 13.
https://www.azcentral.com/pages/interactives/arizona-monsoon-payson-flash-flood-deaths/
Al Sieber - 19 February 1907. Al Sieber died during construction of the Tonto Basin Road on 19 February 1907 when a large rock rolled over him. According to the Gila County Historical Society's wording on the monument erected on the spot he was killed, Al was a veteran of the civil war and scout leader for the U.S. Army in Arizona for 20 years. Apparently, he was also involved in road construction.
Four Teenage Friends - 8 October 1994. Four teenage girls were killed and another critically injured when their car ran a stop sign and was hit by a pickup truck on the Beeline Highway. The five friends and classmates had spent the day at Roosevelt Lake and were still in their bathing suits when they left in a hatchback to head home. They were not wearing seatbelts and the investigating officer felt had they used them it would have prevented the fatalities. All of the girls were students at Thunderbird High School in Phoenix. The driver of the truck was wearing a seatbelt and escaped with minor injuries.
Twins Claudia and Corinna Brejea died from injuries, Marlena Flores, who was the driver's younger sister, and Ashley Middleton also died from injuries. The driver of the hatchback survived but had serious injuries.
Of note: Over 3 years before this accident, 22 people had died on the Beeline Highway.
20 June 2020 - Vincent Eduardo Abril was killed while riding his bicycle on the road near Bisbee Arizona. He was killed by a motorist while riding his bicycle at the Mule Pass Tunnel. he was struck inside the tunnel early in the morning by an SUV that was entering the tunnels in the westbound lane Abril was riding on the right shoulder. Factors contributing to the accident included poor lighting in the tunnel, wearing dark clothing, having no rear light, and early morning light conditions in the tunnel.
Abril was a history teacher at Douglas High School and was scheduled to retire at the end of the next school year.
This memorial consisting of a white bike is called a ghost bike and is intended to remind drivers to share the road with bikes and be aware of them while driving.
19 March 2021 -Three motorcyclists on two motorcycles were killed on Highway 90 in Arizona when one of the motorcyclist attempted to pass in a no-passing zone and impacted an SUV head-on then the second motorcyclist with a passenger impacted the aftermath.
Robert Romero
Michael Glen Howell
Brenna Curry (Passenger)
