On February 1, 2021, at approximately 7:46 PM,
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Deputies responded
to the serious injury of a young teenage victim in the
area of East Squaw Valley Road and Lapidary Place in
Black Canyon City. When deputies arrived, they began
investigating circumstances surrounding the
visible head trauma sustained to a 16-year-old
boy. The Daisy Mountain Fire Department was on scene as deputies arrived, and were attending to the
Miguel Orozco Vehicle involved in collision
young man, who eventually had to be air-lifted to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital with severe head injuries.
The citizens of Black Canyon City, and specifically those residents in the area of this incident who witnessed these events, largely aided the investigation and informed deputies that this young man had been riding up and down E. Squaw Valley Rd on the hood of a vehicle. The investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle had quickly fled the scene after the 16-year
old boy had slid off the hood of the car.
At approximately 8:20 PM, 21-year-old Black Canyon City resident, Miguel Angel Orozco, returned to the scene and contacted deputies. Orozco admitted he was driving a Toyota Corolla with the victim hanging on to the hood at a speed of approximately 25-30mph. He stated victim slid off of the car and was struck by the front of the car while it was still moving forward. He told the deputy he made sure the victim was still breathing, but then quickly fled the scene because he was afraid he would get in trouble for his actions. Through the processing of the vehicle, evidence was collected that confirmed the witness statements, as well as the admission from Orozco.
As deputies continued the investigation it became clear that Orozco was possibly impaired. Sobriety tests, along with a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation were conducted, and they confirmed that Orozco was under the influence of Cannabis at the time of the incident. Orozco was placed under arrest and booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges of Child Abuse, Aggravated Assault, Leaving the Scene of a Serious Injury Collision, Endangerment, and Driving Under the Influence of Drugs.
Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes would like to remind the public that the passage of Proposition 207 does not change fact that smoking while driving and being impaired by marijuana while driving are still illegal and extremely dangerous acts. The Sheriff urges all to act responsibly with respect to marijuana and protect those in our communities from going through tragedies like this.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the community of Black Canyon City, and specifically those residents who played a valuable role, in assisting us in this investigation. The continued partnership the Sheriff’s Office enjoys with the citizens of Yavapai County helps to ensure our communities stay safe.
In addition, we would like to ask anyone who might have witnessed this collision to contact us at 928-771-3260. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232 or submit a tip at www.yavapaisw.com. All calls to Silent Witness are anonymous.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov
