HEBER, Ariz. — The Arizona Department of Public Safety has released new details, including the identities of four people killed in a head-on collision on State Route 260 near Heber, and the injured. They also announced the arrest and identity of the pickup truck driver involved in the crash.
The collision occurred at approximately 12:31 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, on SR-260 at milepost 300, approximately four miles west of Heber, Arizona.
Seven people were traveling in the two vehicles involved in the collision: four people in a black passenger vehicle and three people in a pickup truck.
According to DPS, Giovanni Uballe Huerta, 26, of Laveen; Kiah Jae Begaye, 26, of Mesa; a 4-year-old boy from Mesa; and a 2-year-old girl from Mesa were traveling in the black passenger vehicle. All four died as a result of the collision. DPS did not release the names of the two children.
The pickup truck was driven by Jesse David Lovato, 21, of Los Lunas, New Mexico. Two other people were traveling in the pickup with Lovato: a 14-year-old boy and a 21-year-old woman, both from New Mexico.
The 14-year-old and 21-year-old suffered serious injuries and were transported to Phoenix-area hospitals.
DPS has not provided information regarding whether Lovato was injured in the collision.
Lovato was subsequently arrested and booked into the Navajo County Detention Center in Holbrook on four counts of manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault.
Navajo County jail records show Lovato was booked at approximately 9:19 p.m. on Sept. 7, with the Arizona Department of Public Safety listed as the arresting agency. The booking record lists alleged offenses of manslaughter involving recklessness under ARS §13-1103(A)(1) and aggravated assault involving a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument under ARS §13-1204(A)(2).
DPS stated that the charges are preliminary and that additional charges may be filed as the investigation progresses.
In its preliminary release on Sept. 8, DPS stated that impairment had not been ruled out.
Radio transmissions obtained by Mountain Daily Star indicate that Lovato was tested for possible impairment while on scene.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety Vehicular Crimes Unit is leading the investigation.
The charges against Lovato are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Photo: Navajo County Sheriff’s Office booking photo of Jesse David Lovato.
