PHOENIX — A quiet Thursday night turned tragic near 75th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road when a suspected impaired driver fled a police traffic stop and plowed head-on into another car, killing both people inside.
Just before 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, Phoenix police officers stopped 40-year-old Ruben Almanza on suspicion of driving under the influence near 59th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. After minutes of talking with the officer, police say Almanza suddenly sped away in his vehicle at a high rate of speed.
The officer did not chase after him but alerted other units and the department’s helicopter crew to Almanza’s direction of travel. Moments later, officers got reports of a serious crash near 75th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.
When emergency crews arrived, they found Almanza’s car had collided with the vehicle driven by 35-year-old Melvina Jones. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene. Almanza was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries.
Friends and family of Jones described her as a cheerful, caring person whose smile lit up every room. News of her death left loved ones in shock, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of someone they say had so much life left to live. Almanza’s passing has also brought sorrow to his own circle, leaving both families to navigate grief after a night that turned deadly.
Phoenix police continue to investigate the crash, piecing together exactly what led to the fatal collision. Officers are examining whether impairment and speed played a role in how Almanza’s vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic before impact.
Traffic on Lower Buckeye Road was shut down for several hours while detectives processed the scene and collected evidence. The closure disrupted late-night travel in the west Phoenix neighborhood but has since reopened.
As the city absorbs this heartbreaking event, thoughts are with the families and friends of both Jones and Almanza. In a community still reeling, many are left reminding one another of how fragile life can be on the open road.
