KINGMAN — The Kingman man who killed a civilian while fleeing pursuing law enforcement officers almost 18 months ago briefly addressed the Court during his May 16 sentencing hearing.
“I just want to apologize to all involved in this case,” said Juan Ortiz, 46. “It was a tragic accident. I still can’t sleep at night.”
Sarah Bingham, 21, Kingman, was making a pizza delivery on January 26, 2024, when her vehicle was struck as Ortiz, with officers in pursuit, blew through the intersection of Bank Street and Northern Avenue. Bingham died of her injuries while Ortiz was taken into custody.
Ortiz had previously successfully eluded authorities on January 4, about three weeks before Bingham was killed. Officers terminated that vehicular pursuit for public safety purpose, and ending endangerment of others.
Officers spotted the Ortiz vehicle at an Airway Avenue car wash on January 26, and used law enforcement vehicles to box in the suspect vehicle in a car wash stall. Ortiz used his vehicle to ram both police vehicles, drawing gunfire as he made his getaway.
Authorities said Ortiz was high on methamphetamine and was speeding about 60 miles an hour when he ignored the stop sign and struck the Bingham vehicle at the intersection with officers giving chase with lights and sirens activated.
Bingham’s mother, Joyce Trichell, did not condemn the defendant. Instead, she questioned the conduct of the officers involved in the pursuit.
Trichell noted she has filed a lawsuit over the matter. Court records confirm the litigation against the City of Kingman, Kingman Police Department, Mohave County, Mohave County Sheriff’s office, state of Arizona, an officer and Ortiz.
Prosecutor James Schoppmann noted the jury that convicted Ortiz of first-degree murder and other charges at trial rejected defense attempts to question officer conduct. Schoppmann reminded the Court that Ortiz previously served prison time for hurting another victim in a previous police pursuit related traffic accident for which he served prison time.
“We’re asking the Court to impose the maximum punishment in this case to protect the community,” Schoppmann said. “He should never get out. He should never drive the streets of Kingman or Mohave County ever again.”
Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle sided with Schoppmann. He ordered a natural life prison term, followed by 31.5-years more.
“The defendant will never be eligible for release on any basis,” Carlisle said.
