Overview
- Officers stopped 40-year-old Ruben Almanza on suspicion of DUI near 59th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road shortly after 11:30 p.m.
- After a brief interaction, Almanza accelerated away as the officer radioed a vehicle description and direction and did not give chase.
- Minutes later, a collision was reported near 75th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road involving Almanza’s vehicle and another car.
- The other driver, 35-year-old Melvina Jones, was pronounced dead at the scene, and Almanza died later at a hospital.
- Detectives say preliminary evidence indicates Almanza crossed into oncoming traffic, and the case remains under investigation.