MOHAVE VALLEY, Ariz. – A deadly ATV accident is under investigation in Mohave Valley. Mohave County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 5:20 a.m. on Aug. 8 to the incident at the intersection of Kingsley Street and Dike Road.
Agency spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said arriving deputies made contact with male and female passengers who indicated the driver pinned under the ATV turned on its side might be dead. Deputies confirmed that the driver, Richard Cruz, 39, Mohave Valley, was dead on scene.
“Investigators were informed that the occupants of the ATV had been consuming alcohol earlier in the (previous) evening before deciding to go out for a night ride in the vehicle,” Mortensen said. She said one of the surviving passengers advised that Cruz accelerated before losing control of the ATV, causing it to flip and turn on its side.
Mortensen said alcohol, excessive speed and lack of restraints appear to be factors in a continuing investigation.
