TUCSON, AZ — Authorities have identified the three people killed in an early Sunday wrong-way crash southwest of Tucson. The collision happened around 3 a.m. on Arizona 86 near Ryan Airfield, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
State troopers say a gray Ford SUV was traveling east in the westbound lanes when it hit a black Chevrolet passenger vehicle head-on. The SUV driver, 32-year-old Jordan Alexander Lee McMillan of Tucson, later died at a hospital. The two people in the Chevrolet, Alfred Manuel, 47, and Kayla Manuel, 34, both of Sells, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Arizona DPS says investigators suspect impairment in the wrong-way crash
The Department of Public Safety said in a news release Thursday that investigators suspect McMillan was impaired when the crash occurred. Officials have not said what may have led him into the wrong-way lanes, and the investigation remains active.
Wrong-way crashes often draw close scrutiny because they can turn a brief driving error into a head-on impact with little time for either driver to react. In this case, DPS has not released additional details about speed, weather, or whether other factors may have contributed to the deadly collision.
Jordan Alexander Lee McMillan was taken to a hospital after the collision
McMillan was the only person in the Ford SUV, DPS said. After the crash, he was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities identified him as a 32-year-old Tucson resident.
The crash scene involved two vehicles in a direct head-on impact, according to DPS. That type of collision often produces severe injuries because the force of both vehicles combines at the point of impact. Officials have not released any information about whether emergency responders found the SUV or Chevrolet in specific positions after the wreck.
Alfred and Kayla Manuel were pronounced dead at the scene
Alfred Manuel and Kayla Manuel were both in the Chevrolet passenger vehicle and died at the crash site, state authorities said. DPS identified Alfred Manuel as 47 and Kayla Manuel as 34, and said both were from Sells.
For families, the identification of crash victims often marks the point when a fatal collision moves from a police response into a long period of grieving and unanswered questions. In this case, investigators have not said whether the Manuels were related, and no further personal details were released about them.
Arizona 86 near Ryan Airfield has been the site of a fatal predawn wreck
The wreck took place on Arizona 86, a route southwest of Tucson that carries local and regional traffic through the area near Ryan Airfield. The crash time, about 3 a.m., placed it in the middle of the overnight hours, when traffic is often lighter but visibility and fatigue can still be major concerns.
DPS has not said whether the roadway was closed after the collision or how long investigators remained at the scene. No additional crashes were mentioned in connection with the area, and officials have not indicated that the roadway itself was a factor in the fatality.
The investigation remains open as officials look at what led to the collision
State police said the case is still under investigation. That means investigators may still be gathering witness statements, physical evidence, and other details before deciding whether any charges or further findings are warranted.
For now, the confirmed facts are limited: three people are dead, the crash happened in the westbound lanes of Arizona 86, and impairment is suspected on the part of the SUV driver. DPS has not announced a timeline for any additional findings.