TUCSON, Ariz. — Five people have died after a car that ran a red light struck their vehicle at Ajo Highway and San Joaquin Road in Tucson, Department of Public Safety officials said.
According to early DPS reports, 33-year-old Malyn Pavolka was driving westbound on State Route 86 when she allegedly failed to stop at a red light and struck the side of an SUV. The SUV was pushed into the median where it caught fire.
All five people in the SUV were killed in the crash, DPS said. Pavolka was taken to the hospital; investigators believe that she was impaired at the time of the crash and are still awaiting a toxicology report.
DPS identified the deceased as Susana Mosquera, 66; Maria Le Desma, 71; Jose Le Desma, 73; Antonio Melendez, 73; and Maria De Jesus Melendez, 95. All were Tucson residents.
The Pima County Sheriff's Office is assisting DPS with the investigation.
Pavolka has been booked into the Pima County Jail on manslaughter charges, DPS said.
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