Wrecked vehicle found on North Frontage Road reported stolen

Deputies from the Yuma County Sheriff's Office are investigating a single-vehicle accident that may — or may not — have involved a stolen car.

According to Capt. Eben Bratcher, spokesman for the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 7:36 a.m. Monday deputies responded to a report of an early 90s model Mercedes having crashed into a chain link fence at the intersection of Avenue 3E and North Frontage Road.

However, when deputies arrived on scene they could not locate the driver, or any other occupants, of the vehicle.

Bratcher said the preliminary investigation into the accident indicated that the Mercedes had been traveling south on Avenue 3E and had attempted to turn onto North Frontage Road, but had been going too fast, causing the driver to run off the road.

Later that morning, however, Bratcher said the car was reported stolen to the Yuma Police Department.

“There was no indication on the vehicle that it had been stolen,” Bratcher said. “The deputy on scene felt the hood of the car and it was cold.”

Bratcher said it is not known when the wreck happened but added it could have been earlier that morning or sometime during the night.

Bratcher said deputies also tried to contact the vehicle's registered owner but was told he was at work and not available.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.