Investigation into SR 347 accident continues; DPS reminds drivers to obey all traffic laws

In light of last Saturday’s two-car accident on SR 347 that claimed two lives, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is advising drivers to obey all traffic laws as they travel the roadway.

Two Maricopa residents, Jonathan Stuart, 24, and Mark J. Ream, 51, died after Stuart’s car crossed the median and partially landed on Ream’s Jeep. The collision occurred in the area of milepost 177.9, starting on the southbound lanes of travel.

DPS Spokesperson Harold Sanders said the initial investigation shows that Stuart’s Pontiac was believed to have been in the right lane of travel, when the driver lost control of the vehicle, which caused the vehicle to go into a broadside, then off the roadway surface into the depressed median.

The Pontiac then vaulted onto the northbound left lane of travel and partially landed on top of Ream’s vehicle which was traveling northbound in the left travel lane. After the initial collision impact, both vehicles rolled over.

Ream died at the scene and Stuart was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Sanders told inmaricopa.com on Monday that DPS collision investigators are awaiting information from the autopsy reports from the Office of the Medical Examiner for both deceased drivers.

“The speed of the vehicles at the time of the collision has not yet been estimated,” Sanders said. “The investigation is ongoing.”

Sanders said he didn’t know if there were any witnesses to the accident. “If there were any witnesses it is safe to assume they would have been interviewed by the DPS investigators,” Sanders said. “That type of information will be contained in the final collision report.”

According to Sanders, DPS patrols have already been enhanced for some time with various types of enforcement details being conducted on all parts of SR 347 under the jurisdiction of DPS, along with the regular patrols that are performed by the area units on a constant basis.

The jurisdiction and responsibility for SR 347 is shared by DPS, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Maricopa Police Department and the Gila River Tribal Police Department.

Sanders added that drivers can enhance their safety by wearing safety restraints, not driving under the influence or impaired from any induced substance, not driving when fatigued, being aware of changing traffic and roadway conditions, and driving slow in construction zones.