TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) — Two individuals died in a motorcycle crash at East 22nd Street and South Country Club Road on January 5.
According to the Tucson Police Department, officers responded to the scene around 9:30 p.m. after a collision between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle was reported.
The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old E’Lyanha Nevaeh Valenzuela and 20-year-old Mickey Daniel Ortiz, both of whom were not wearing helmets.
The driver of the passenger vehicle, a Kia SUV, was unharmed.
Authorities said the crash occurred when the SSR Motorsports dirtbike was heading east on 22nd Street, and the Kia made a left turn from westbound 22nd Street onto southbound Country Club Road in front of the motorcycle.
Police are investigating the traffic signals’ status at the time of the accident. An officer from the Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit assessed the Kia driver for impairment, confirming no alcohol or drugs were involved.
Primary factors in the investigation include the motorcycle’s headlamp being inoperative at night and the Kia’s failure to yield when turning left.
No charges have been filed as the investigation remains ongoing.