Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers arrest suspect from New Year’s morning fatal collision

On January 1, 2010, at about 2:53 a.m., a fatal collision occurred on westbound Interstate 10 at milepost 261. A 2004 Honda passenger vehicle lost control and ran into the concrete retaining wall and center divider. The vehicle came to rest in the middle lane of the interstate. Four adults and one child were transported to the University Medical center for treatment. Andrew Ramirez, 24, from Tucson died at the hospital from his injuries. Witnesses to the collision told DPS officers investigating the collision that the driver of the Honda passenger vehicle fled the scene on foot.

During the investigation, officers identified the driver of the Honda passenger vehicle as Richard J. Ochoa, 26, from Tucson.

On January 7, 2010, at about 2:15 p.m., Richard J. Ochoa turned himself in to DPS officers at the Tucson Police Headquarters. He was accompanied by an attorney, Stuart DeHaan. Richard Ochoa was transported to the Pima County Jail and booked in on the charges of:

1. ARS 13-1104 One count: Second degree murder

2. ARS 28-661.C One count: Leaving the scene of a collision involving a fatality

3. ARS 13-1204 Multiple counts: Aggravated assault.

Officers from DPS Highway Patrol Bureau, Vehicular Crimes Unit, and Special Investigations Unit were involved in the investigation.