MEADVIEW, ARIZONA: An Arizona man was arrested and charged with murder following a shocking incident that involved the alleged intentional crash of his go-kart-type vehicle into his ex-girlfriend's all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
The suspect identified as John H Stettler was charged with one count of second-degree murder per domestic violence in the killing of a 32-year-old woman. According to authorities, the 40-year-old man was taken into custody on Friday, July 28 in connection to the death of his ex-girlfriend Sally Minard, according to Law and Crime.
Who is John Stettler?
As per the press release issued by the Mohave County Sheriff's Office, officers responded to a report at about 1.36 am on Friday about a vehicular crash in the area of Driftwood Drive and Boathouse Drive in Mohave County, Arizona.
After the deputies arrived at the scene, they found Minard, the driver of the quad ATV suffering from "severe injuries" from the collision. She was immediately taken to a hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, for medical treatment. However, shortly after arrival, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.
As authorities determined that the crash was not an ordinary accident, investigators with the Accident Reconstruction Team and MCSO detectives who were dispatched to the scene further investigated the circumstances that led to the tragic death. Authorities identified Stettler as the other party involved in the vehicular crash. The Meadview resident did not suffer from any serious injuries in the collision.
The collision was 'a criminal act'
According to the press release, "During the investigation, it was determined that the collision was a criminal act, not just a vehicle collision." Investigators later learned that prior to the fatal crash, Stettler and the victim were in a romantic relationship. However, it remains unclear when they stopped dating or how long they were in a relationship.
Authorities have not yet disclosed what evidence led them into determining the collision was intentional. Stettler was arrested without incident at the conclusion of the initial probe and was charged with the slaying of Minard. The alleged killer is currently being held in the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility in lieu of a $300,000 bond.
According to the sheriff's office, the probe into the crash case is ongoing. The community remains devastated and saddened by the tragic loss of Minard who was allegedly killed by her former partner. Investigators continue to determine the motive behind the intentional collision.
