MESA, Ariz. — The three people who were killed Sunday in a wrong-way crash near Fountain Hills have been identified as Mesa residents.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said impairment may have contributed to two vehicles colliding head-on with each other on State Route 87 near Shea Boulevard.
DPS said Thursday that Jose Manuel Serrano-Orduno, the driver who allegedly caused the crash, had been booked into jail and is facing charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault and endangerment.
Court records show Serrano-Orduno allegedly admitted to consuming up to 10 beers hours before the collision and blood drawn while he was at the hospital showed an alcohol concentration of 0.249.
The 41-year-old Mesa man was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche south in the northbound lanes. Another driver in a Chevrolet Tahoe noticed the wrong-way driver and took action to move into the right shoulder and avoid hitting the Avalanche.
DPS said this driver looked back and noticed the headlights of a Ford F-150 truck driving near them had disappeared. After passing the Tahoe, the Avalanche hit the F-150.
Serrano-Orduno sustained serious injuries.
The driver of the F-150 was treated at the hospital for serious injuries. Three passengers in her vehicle died.
DPS has identified the deceased individuals as:
- Victor Perez Coralles, 25 of Mesa
- Emilia Rodriquez, 42, of Mesa
- Jesus Guadalupe Nunez-Rodriquez, 26 of Mesa
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