Gila River Police continue scrutiny of deadly SR 347 crash

The April 24 deaths of three motorists on State Route 347 remain an ongoing investigation for the Gila River Police Department.

Julio Robles Ayala, Alfredo Ayala Jr. and Debbie Howard were traveling together with two other people when the northbound vehicle they were in crossed into the path of a southbound semi-truck, apparently a dairy truck. The three died at the scene near the junction of Maricopa Road.

According to GRPD, all three victims were Native American. Officers were unwilling to provide their community of residence or other information because of the active nature of the investigation.

Their ages ranged from 24 to 29 years old, according to Sgt. Nicholas Waterloo.

The collision occurred just after 4 a.m. GRPD has not yet determined if speed or alcohol was a factor.

The two other passengers in the car and the driver of the semi truck suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a hospital.

It was the middle of a deadly week on SR 347. April 21, Justin Clark, 34, of Phoenix was killed when the car he was riding in crossed into oncoming traffic. April 26, David McBride, 59, of Tucson died after he apparently had a heart attack while driving into Maricopa. His vehicle left the road and crashed through a wall and into a private swimming pool. He later died at a hospital.