A devastating wrong-way crash has claimed the lives of three individuals on State Route 87 near Fountain Hills, leading to the arrest of the driver who caused the crash. The collision occurred just after 4 a.m. on May 26, when a Chevrolet Avalanche, driven by 41-year-old Jose Manuel Serrano-Orduno, was traveling south in the northbound lanes, crashing head-on into a Ford F-150, according to Arizona's Family.
The driver of the F-150 suffered life-threatening injuries, while Jose Serrano-Orduno, was booked into jail on multiple counts including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and endangerment. In the Ford, three passengers, Victor Perez Coralles, 25, Emilia Rodriquez, 42, and Jesus Guadalupe Nunez-Rodriquez, 26, did not survive the encounter. Court documents revealed that Serrano-Orduno's blood-alcohol level was .249, nearly three times the legal limit, Fox 10 Phoenix reported.
During the investigation, authorities found evidence that strongly suggested impairment as a factor in the crash. "troopers on scene suspected Serrano-Orduno was impaired because they found open containers of beer in his vehicle," reported Arizona's Family. A witness provided dash cam footage that confirmed the Avalanche as the wrong-way vehicle involved in the collision.
In a subsequent interview with troopers, Serrano-Orduno admitted to drinking "8-10 beers" at Sycamore Creek before trying to drive home, having only rested for a mere 30 minutes. Despite his high BAC level, Serrano-Orduno claimed to have been driving on the correct side of the road and alleged he was hit by what he thought was a wrong-way driver, according to Arizona's Family. The community is left mourning the unnecessary loss of life as the case against Serrano-Orduno continues.
