The TPD reported that an SSR Motorsports dirtbike was traveling eastbound on 22nd Street when it crashed with a Kia SUV that made a left turn onto southbound Country Club Road from westbound 22nd Street
Tucson, AZ – Authorities are investigating a fatal collision that claimed the lives of two dirt bike riders in Tucson on Monday night.
According to the Tucson Police Department, the incident took place on East 22nd Street and South Country Club Road on Monday, January 5.
The TPD reported that an SSR Motorsports dirt bike was traveling eastbound on 22nd Street when it crashed with a Kia SUV that made a left turn onto southbound Country Club Road from westbound 22nd Street.
The rider of the dirt bike and the passenger were not wearing helmets and were killed in the crash. The authorities identified the victims as E’Lyanha Nevaeh Valenzuela, 18, and Mickey Daniel Ortiz, 20.
The two occupants of the SUV were not hurt in the collision. The driver was not believed to have been impaired at the time of the accident.
According to Tucson police, the dirt bike lacked an operable headlamp. The operator of the dirtbike also failed to yield while making a turn.
The accident remained under investigation by the Tucson Police Department.
Arizona has seen a modest reduction in overall traffic accidents over the last two years, yet roadway fatalities continue to pose a serious public safety concern. In 2023, the state recorded 122,247 motor vehicle crashes, resulting in 1,307 deaths. The following year showed a slight improvement, with total crashes declining to 121,107 and fatalities dropping to 1,228—marking a 6.1% decrease in traffic-related deaths year over year.
While this downward shift is encouraging, the figures for fatal and severe injury crashes remain close to record highs, underscoring persistent challenges in traffic safety across Arizona. Excessive speed, impaired driving, and the failure to use seat belts and other safety restraints are consistently identified as leading causes of deadly and life-altering collisions. Although statewide safety initiatives, emergency response improvements, and public awareness campaigns are actively working to reduce these dangers, Arizona’s highways and city streets continue to experience a substantial number of serious accidents each year.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a Tucson motorcycle accident, you can learn more about your options by visiting our motorcycle accident ttorney page.