Driver in fatal accident charged with murder

The 20-year-old driver suspected of causing a fatal accident while fleeing from a theft scene was charged with one count of second-degree murder in Yuma Justice Court on Tuesday.

Jose Luis Miranda was identified by police as the driver of the Mitsubishi Eclipse that ran a stop sign at 8th Street and 2nd Avenue and collided with a Chevrolet pickup driven by Don Lindquist of Yuma on April 8. Lindquist, 89, was declared dead at the scene.

Miranda, who was injured in the accident, appeared Tuesday in a wheelchair before Justice of the Peace David Cooper as the Yuma County Attorney's Office formally charged him with a single second-degree murder count. Also during the hearing, Cooper reduced Miranda's cash bond to $257,665.20 from the $515,000 cash bond originally sought by prosecutors.

After being released from a Phoenix hospital earlier this month, Miranda was taken into custody by police and booked into the Yuma County jail on suspicion of second-degree murder, driving under the influence, unlawful flight from law enforcement and criminal damage.

The fatal accident occurred after two people allegedly stole beer from Hom's Market at 201 S. Orange Avenue and fled in the car, police said.

A motorcycle police officer on patrol in the area saw the two theft suspects fleeing on foot and pulled into an alleyway in an effort to block their escape, police said, but one of the two, later identified as Miranda, was able to get into the Mitsubishi and flee the parking lot.

The officer did not pursue the Mitsubishi but called in the incident on his police radio.

The Eclipse, meanwhile, sped south on 2nd Avenue, running a stop sign at 8th Street and colliding with the pickup driven by Lindquist, according to police.

The second suspect in the theft is still being sought by police.

Cooper ordered Miranda to reappear in Justice Court on Friday at 4:45 p.m.


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William Roller can be reached at
wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.