An Arizona Department of Public Safety officer cleared traffic on the westbound I-40 as a wrong-way driver collided head-on with the officer's vehicle. AZDPS has released video footage of the crash.
On Nov. 17 around 3:30 p.m., AZDPS received calls about a reckless driver, Patricia Carvalho, 32, driving on the sidewalks nearly hitting vehicles on Milton Road.
An officer located the vehicle on the I-40 westbound and initiated a traffic stop. Carvalho fled and made the decision to drive east on the westbound I-40 while her 2-year-old daughter was in the car. Carvalho was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Dashcam video shows two officers on the westbound interstate driving toward the last known location of the vehicle. As the officer with the dashcam pulls off the road, the second officer attempts to clear a vehicle off the center roadway, using what is called a "traffic break" maneuver.
The officer in the roadway stays in the center of the roadway as Carvalho's red Nissan Rogue barrels down the highway. Carvalho collides into the front of the trooper's vehicle, and remains stationary after the crash.
Other motorists' lives may have been saved by the officer's actions, Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, said.
“It’s a stark reminder of the risks that impaired drivers pose to the public and to our troopers, who selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to stop them,” Milstead said.
The officer and child were taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. Carvalho's injuries were more serious, but not life-threatening.
Carvalho has been charged with attempted second degree homicide, aggravated assault, endangerment, aggravated DUI and child abuse.
The woman's daughter was placed in the custody of Arizona Department of Child Services.
Scott Buffon can be reached at sbuffon@azdailysun.com, on Twitter @scottbuffon or by phone at (928) 556-2250.
Senior Reporter - Cops, Environment
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The move was made transparently, with Findlay Auto Group working to inform the public through radio advertisements and a post on the dealership website, as general manager Riley Donaldson explained the company wanted to make sure it appropriately addressed the decision. Read moreFindlay Automotive Group closes Flagstaff's Volkswagen dealership
Digital Editor
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Despite efforts to get Congress to extend the law, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act will come to an end on Monday, June 10. Read moreDownwinder program set to expire Monday, and action by Congress unlikely, advocates rush to submit claims
City and environment reporter
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
On Thursday, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport announced that American Airlines is adding a nonstop seasonal service between Flagstaff and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this fall. Read moreWeekly flight between Flagstaff and Los Angeles to begin this fall
Trump is scheduled to speak Thursday at a town hall in Phoenix organized by Turning Point, a conservative youth organization that has seen its influence rise alongside Trump’s takeover of the GOP. Read moreTrump will campaign in Arizona following his hush money conviction
6:45 p.m. update: As fire crews from numerous agencies continued to fight the blaze, the Bravo Fire burning on Camp Navajo had reached 1,000 acres in size. That’s up from a reported 100 acres … Read moreCrews battling 1,000-acre Bravo Fire west of Flagstaff; four zones in SET status
City and environment reporter
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Gila River tribal police officer Joshua Briese grew up in Montana wanting to work in law enforcement, just like his dad. He died Saturday while on duty, like his father had 18 years ago. Read moreRookie police officer who was fatally shot in Arizona died on duty like his dad did 18 years earlier
PHOENIX -- State lawmakers have no legal right to try to invalidate the designation of nearly a million acres of federal land near the Grand Canyon as a national monument, the Biden administra… Read moreBiden administration responds to Arizona lawmakers’ suit on Grand Canyon monument
“I always was fascinated with the idea that people did this -- ran across America,” she said. Read moreFlagstaff resident planning run across United States to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis
Reporter - Education, Health
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Jerry Nichols, from local music group Dub & Down with the Blues, opens Vibe: a versatile venue in Flagstaff for people of all ages. Read moreIt’s a Vibe: New venue expands east side entertainment options
SkyJune Designs in Flagstaff, led by Skyler Dunfey, offers metalsmithing classes and unique jewelry pieces. Classes are growing in popularity and feature hands-on learning opportunities. Read morePedal to the metal: SkyJune Designs opens doors for new metalsmiths
Many local streets, landforms and buildings are named for notable Flagstaff pioneers. But what about Thorpe Park? Who was Thorpe? Read moreAsk a Ranger: Who was Thorp(e)? A part of Flagstaff's history
We’ve all been schooled in bugs, right? Many of us have been learning about them since we were quite young. So, let’s take a little quiz: 1) Is a house fly a bug? 2) Is a ladybug actually a bu… Read moreGardening Etcetera: To be or not to be...a bug
Proceeds from the event will benefit Special Olympics Arizona’s Mountain Area athletes. Read moreBare Aspen Wine and Tasting event to benefit Special Olympics Arizona scheduled for Sept. 14
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget has invited the public to provide input on candidates for the open seat on the Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board. Read moreCoconino superintendent of schools seeking public input on Flagstaff Unified School District board candidates
Temperatures in Flagstaff are forecast to reach record highs this week as the Southwest bakes under a high-pressure system. Read moreGallery: Beating the heat in Flagstaff as Southwest bakes
Chief Photographer
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The season’s first heat wave is already baking the Southwestern U.S. with triple-digit temperatures as Phoenix firefighters employ new tactics in hopes of saving more lives. Read morePhoenix using ice immersion to treat heatstroke victims as Southwest bakes in triple digits
Called Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer, or EDGE, the proposed mission would use satellites to monitor the 3D structure of vegetation and ice across the globe. Read moreNorthern Arizona University professor part of finalist team for NASA Earth System Explorers Program
Currently held in the Coconino County Detention Facility, French’s next court appearance will be a case management conference scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 15. Read moreFrench pleads not guilty to 13 charges following arrest for shooting in Bushmaster Park
Digital Editor
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Officials said the wolf pups’ introduction helps provide genetic diversity within the population of Mexican wolves, as the species recovers from near-extinction. Read moreConservation officials celebrate record number of Mexican wolf pups placed in wild dens
Daunting legal and logistical obstacles to voting persist in remote stretches of the southwestern United States, where the Native vote is credited with swinging the 2020 presidential election in Arizona to President Joe Biden. Read more100 years ago, US citizenship for Native Americans came without voting rights in swing states
Jill Sans' Lost in Hue exhibit at The HeArt Box showcases sustainable art made from ethically sourced pigments. Read moreSustainably sourced: Jill Sans’ new exhibit showcases art made from natural pigments
Now that the calendar has turned to June, temperatures are set to heat up in Flagstaff. Read moreHigh temperatures expected to approach 90 degrees this week in Flagstaff
The AZ Legislature has given final approval to a proposal that will ask voters to make it a state crime for noncitizens to enter the state through Mexico at any location other than a port of entry. Read moreArizona voters will decide whether local police can make border-crossing arrests
For the second time since March, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 45-year-old Eric Ray Montalvo. Read moreMan booked into Coconino County Jail for second-degree murder, possible connection to Route 66 homicide
Digital Editor
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal, wood stoves and smudge pots are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or an official developed recreation site. Read moreCoconino National Forest, Coconino County, City of Flagstaff to begin fire restrictions Thursday
Record daily highs will be in jeopardy from Las Vegas to Phoenix. Excessive heat warnings have been issued from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Friday. Read moreSouthwest US to bake in first heat wave of season and records may fall
All four are veteran Catholic school teachers and will begin their new roles at SFDA at the beginning of the 2024-2025 calendar in August. Read moreSan Francisco de Asis Catholic School announces 4 new teachers for upcoming school year
The overall goal of Project Momentum is for participating schools to increase their student achievement in both language arts and math, and to do so at a higher rate than Arizona as a whole. Read moreFUSD joins Project Momentum Arizona to further student achievement in Flagstaff schools
Reporter - Education, Health
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with general admission tickets $15, visitors ages 10 to 17 $10 and children 9 and younger free. Read moreBlue Dragon Map returns at the Museum of Northern Arizona
Digital Editor
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
FUSD will be continuing the changes made to bus routes and student eligibility during the 2023-2024 school year, and will also no longer offer out-of-boundary busing for elementary students. Read moreFlagstaff Unified School District continuing transportation changes next school year; board approves electric bus purchase
Reporter - Education, Health
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
{{summary}}
{{title}}
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
