Thread: AZ Arrest in deadly Route 66 collision -

Arrest in deadly Route 66 collision
ERIC BETZ Sun Staff Reporter | Posted: Sunday, August 21, 2011 5:20 am


Roberto A. Salamanca (Courtesy photo)

A 20-year-old Flagstaff man was killed just after 11 p.m. Friday night when an alleged drunk driver crossed into his lane on East Route 66 at a high rate of speed in front of the Norvel Owens Mortuary and caused a head-on collision.

Police have a suspect in custody on manslaughter, aggravated assault, leaving the scene of an auto crash and extreme DUI charges.

The victim was identified by the Flagstaff Police Department as Kyle Wible, the son of a recently retired sergeant with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.

Wible was taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center in serious condition where he later died from his injuries.

"The hearts of the men and women of the Coconino County Sheriff's Office go out to Sgt. Wible and his family for this terrible loss," said Gerry Blair, a spokesperson for the Sheriff's office. "We hope they can find some comfort in the love of others."

According to Flagstaff police, an officer was on patrol in the area when he noticed that a major accident had just occurred.

It is believed that Wible was traveling westbound in a small sedan on East Route 66 when the driver of the other vehicle, a large SUV, crossed over the center lane.

Witnesses said that the driver of the SUV got out of his car after the crash and fled westbound on foot.

Police caught Roberto A. Salamanca, 19, of Flagstaff, several blocks away because he matched the description given by witnesses.

Salamanca was brought to the Coconino County Jail on charges of manslaughter, aggravated assault, leaving a scene of an accident with serious physical injuries, extreme driving under the influence of alcohol and underage consumption.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on Salamanca because he could not provide authorities with evidence that he is in the country legally. The detainer allows ICE to hold undocumented suspects in custody, regardless of other charges, while they investigate their immigration status.

According to the Arizona Supreme Court website, Salamanca has multiple prior speeding tickets out of Flagstaff courts, as well as citations for failing to stop at a stop sign and driving without insurance. Salamanca does not currently have a driver's license and has five citations dating back to when he was 15-years-old for driving without a valid license.

Flagstaff police say the cause of the accident is still being investigated. No further details are being released at this time.

Salamanca is being held in the county jail on no bond, according to jail staff.
http://azdailysun.com/news/local/crime- ... 27a59.html

Salamanca does not currently have a driver's license and has five citations dating back to when he was 15-years-old for driving without a valid license.

His ass should have been gone with the 1st citation! Same old same old... drunk illegal walks away practically unharmed after killing an innocent American. Driving a big ole' SUV. They need to add failure to render help, and every other charge they can dream up.

My heart goes out to Kyle Wible's family.

When I lived in Arizona there were Hispanic groups up in arms because the suspect they were looking for was described as "Hispanic". They considered that racist. I'm sure if the suspect was described as "white" or "African-American" they would not consider it racist. Since I've been back in California I notice they almost never say "Hispanic" when they talk about suspects. Every time I hear the suspect fled the scene from a car accident I assume it's an illegal. That comes from living in Arizona. Californians absolutely REFUSE to acknowledge what is happening. 50% of the students in public schools are Hispanic and they just can't figure out what is going on. Probably most of them were, or are illegal.