Investigators say speed factored into deadly two-car accident

Speeding appears to have played a major role in the death of two Maricopa residents back in August.

Investigators with the Gila River Police Department just released new findings in a crash involving off-duty Phoenix police officer and Maricopa resident Jonathan Stuart. Prior to the accident, Stuart had finished a shift at his full-time job with the Phoenix Police Department.

Shortly after 7 a.m. on Aug. 11, Stuart lost control of his 2004 Pontiac along SR 347 north of Maricopa, hitting an oncoming 1990 Jeep driven by Mark Ream, 51, of Maricopa. Both men died in the crash.

According to the report, Gila River investigators believe Stuart was likely doing 111 miles an hour at the time. Several witnesses to the accident reported that they estimated Stuart was traveling 90 to 100 mph just before the crash.

Initial findings showed Stuart’s Pontiac was believed to have been in the right lane of travel, when he lost control of the vehicle. After going into the median, Stuart’s car then vaulted onto the northbound left lane of travel and partially landed on top of Ream’s vehicle.

Both vehicle drivers were wearing safety restraints. There were no other occupants in either of the vehicles.

Ream died of a fatal head injury, while Stuart died of internal bleeding at Maricopa County Medical Center.

The report indicates that just a week prior to the accident, Stuart had been stopped by another officer for speeding. Authorities also reported that Stuart’s Pontiac apparently had its airbag cut out of the steering wheel.