Young boy killed in Wellton car crash

A 13-year-old Wellton boy was killed Friday in a single-vehicle accident.

According to the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, at about 3:55 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a single vehicle collision on Avenue 29E, approximately .15 miles south of East County 8th Street.

The vehicle involved, a silver 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix four-door sedan, was northbound on Avenue 29E when the driver lost control.

There were two occupants of the vehicle at the time of the accident, the driver and a front seat passenger.  

Neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt, according to YCSO.

The driver, who has been identified as Rhonda Payne, 38, of Wellton, sustained severe injuries and was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where she remains in stable condition.

The passenger, who was pronounced dead at the scene, has been identified as her 13-year-old son, Michael Payne.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation and alcohol is not believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.   

James Gilbert can be reached jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.