Fatal Off-Road Crash in Oak Creek Canyon Claims Toddler's Life
SEDONA, AZ — A rollover accident in Oak Creek Canyon on June 22 resulted in the death of a 19-month-old and injuries to two other children. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. near Forest Service Road 535 and State Route 89A, according to the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities reported that Miguel A. Pacheco, 37, was operating a side-by-side off-road vehicle when he lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn. The toddler, who was not secured in a child safety seat, was ejected and subsequently died from injuries sustained in the crash. A 7-year-old and a 17-year-old, who were also passengers, sustained injuries but their current conditions have not been disclosed.
Pacheco, the grandfather of the deceased child, was arrested on multiple charges, including manslaughter, aggravated DUI, and felony endangerment. He is currently held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.
The incident marks the fifth death involving off-road vehicles in Arizona for 2025. Previous fatalities included two sisters who drowned in a submerged vehicle in April and two teenagers who died in a separate crash in February.
The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing, authorities said.