Maricopa first grader dies in car crash

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A Maricopa Elementary School first grader died Friday evening from injuries received in a vehicle crash south of the city on Ralston Road.

Isaiah Espinoza, 6, was riding in a 1991 Toyota truck with his dad, Jose Espinoza, 25, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. The truck was traveling north on Ralston Road near Peters and Nall Road sometime before 6:20 p.m. when Jose Espinoza lost control of the vehicle. The truck flipped and rolled several times.

The father and son were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected, according to the sheriff’s office. Espinoza received non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Isaiah was taken to Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix where he was later pronounced dead.

The sheriff’s office suspects Espinoza was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana when the crash took place. He has not been arrested as the investigation is still ongoing. Blood samples have been sent to the Arizona Department of Public Safety for testing.

Espinoza could be charged with manslaughter, according to the sheriff’s office.