FEBRUARY 18, 2016 – A driver of an eastbound vehicle on Highway 68 was injured Thursday, February 18, when his vehicle rolled over and ended up on its top in the dirt area south of the highway. Golden Valley Fire District (GVFD) firefighters from Station #11 and Station #12, in addition to Battalion 1 (duty officer) Captain Dave Cunningham, responded to the accident that occurred at 4:43 p.m., just west of Teddy Roosevelt Road on the highway. Also responding to the accident were a Mohave County Sherriff deputy and two Department of Public Safety patrol officers.
Upon arriving at the accident scene, GVFD personnel observed the male driver still in the Chevrolet SUV and assisted the lone occupant out of his wrecked SUV. They treated him for his injuries and after the on-site evaluation and medical treatment; he was then transported via a River Medical Ambulance to Kingman Regional Medical Center in stable condition for further evaluation and treatment. Because of the extent of the injuries to the driver, GVFD Firefighter-Paramedic Phillip Picard rode in the ambulance with the injured driver to the hospital.
Golden Valley Fire District (GVFD) firefighters from Station #11 and Station #12, in addition to Battalion 1 (duty officer) Captain Dave Cunningham, check a rolled over vehicle to ensure there was only one occupant of wreck that occurred on Highway 68 in Golden Valley Thursday, February 18
According to on-scene law enforcement officers, the driver of the vehicle admitted to them he had been drinking alcohol.
Two civilian witnesses to the accident stated that the driver of the vehicle had exited the roadway entering the center dirt area between the eastbound and westbound lanes approximately one half mile prior to the accident. They went on to say the driver appeared to overcorrect when he drove back onto the pavement area; overcorrected again, drove back into the dirt area between the lanes of traffic and then slid sideways about 40 yards prior to rolling over.
Fire district officials stress that driving under the influence of alcohol is not only dangerous, it is against the law if over the illegal limit. Drivers under the influence of alcohol must understand the consequences and the possibility of killing someone because of their actions.
The exact cause of the accident is currently under investigation by DPS.
By Butch Meriwether
Photographer/Media Representative