KINGMAN – A Kingman man entered not guilty pleas during his Monday arraignment for first degree murder and other charges related to a deadly Jan. 26 traffic accident. Authorities allege that Juan Ortiz, 44, was fleeing pursuing law enforcement officers when the vehicle he was driving struck a civilian vehicle at the intersection of Bank St. and Northern Ave.
The driver of the second vehicle, Sarah Bingham, 21, Kingman, died of her injuries. Ortiz was taken into custody at the scene of the accident and was treated for minor injuries though no officers were hurt.
Jantzen told Ortiz he faces the possibility of life or natural life in prison if convicted of the murder charge. He told the defendant the aggravated assault and other charges he faces would involve less prison time if convictions occur.
Officers were working to pick Ortiz up as an absconder from prison parole when they engaged him at an Airway Avenue carwash before the suspect reportedly rammed two Trooper vehicles and fled with officers in pursuit before the Bingham crash minutes later.
Judge Jantzen affirmed the $1 million bond for Ortiz, who is incarcerated at the Mohave County Adult Detention Center pending a March 11 pre-trial conference.
