KINGMAN — A 10.5-year prison term was ordered September 5 for a Kingman man who pleaded guilty in a deadly traffic accident in Golden Valley. The punishment Mohave County Superior Court judge Derek Carlisle imposed for Maximiliano Chavez, 29, was mandated in the plea agreement convicting him of manslaughter.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) said Marian Merk, 61, Golden Valley, was fatally injured when the Huyundai SUV she was driving was struck head-on by the pickup truck Chavez was operating at 6:12 a.m on May 2. The agency said Chavez drank alcohol at three Laughlin bars before ending up speeding in Golden Valley with the truck he operated crossing the center line, causing the collision in the vicinity of W. Shinarump Drive and S. Apache Road.
Chavez reportedly fled the scene on foot, but was apprehended the next day when he approached a Golden Valley resident asking for water.
Judge Carlisle expressed concern that Chavez has two prior misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol convictions. And he noted his flight from the accident scene provided passage of time making it impossible to measure any level of intoxication applicable in his case.
Chavez, an 8-year military veteran, read a statement apologizing to relatives of the victims, the community and his friends and family members, including his wife of their newborn and three and five-year-old siblings. He accepted responsibility while expressing remorse and regret.
“The choices I made that day were irresponsible,” Chavez said. “I’m ashamed as I am embarrassed by my actions.”
