Fatal collision on I-10 at California state line

Two killed and two injured

On Monday, August 15, 2011, at approximately 4:34 pm, a two-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 10 between exit 1 and the California state line. A silver Toyota sport-utility vehicle was driving westbound on Interstate 10 when it collided into the rear of a red Nissan minivan. The collision forced the Nissan into a concrete barrier wall and the Toyota went through the right-of-way fence and onto the northbound frontage road.

The driver of the Nissan, Nancy Faustino, 66, Ehrenberg, Arizona, was flown to Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs, California, and was admitted in serious, but stable condition. One juvenile passenger in the Nissan was deceased at the scene. A second juvenile was flown from the scene to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and was pronounced deceased upon arrival.

The driver of the Toyota, Rebecca Loya, 57, Newhall, California, was treated and released for minor injuries from La Paz Regional Hospital. Loya was arrested and booked into the La Paz County Jail on two counts of Second-Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Assault.

Interstate 10 was closed for approximately two hours while Arizona Department of Public Safety officers conducted an investigation at the scene. DPS officers were assisted by the California Highway Patrol, Blythe Police Department, and La Paz County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation into the collision is ongoing by DPS and impairment has not been ruled out as a factor in the collision.