UPDATE 5/3/25 11:45 PM- FATAL VEHICLE COLLISION/ HOMICIDE- GOLDEN VALLEY
On Friday (5/2) at approximately 6:12 AM, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a two-vehicle traffic collision in the area of W. Shinarump Dr. and S. Apache Rd. in Golden Valley. Upon arrival with medical personnel from Golden Valley Fire Department and River Medical Ambulance, a female was found to be pinned in one of the involved vehicles. The female was extricated from the vehicle; however she had succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. The decedent was identified as Marian Merk, 61 of Golden Valley. The two occupants of the second vehicle fled the scene prior to emergency personnel arriving.
The investigation revealed that a Hyundai SUV was traveling west bound on Shinarump Dr. when a Chevrolet pickup truck traveling east bound on Shinarump Dr. crossed the centerline and struck the Hyundai head on. The truck was found to have been traveling at a high rate of speed. After the collision, the driver and passenger of the pickup truck fled on foot into the desert area north of the collision.
An extensive ground and air search was conducted with the assistance of Troopers and Detectives with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter. During the search a subject was located hiding under a bush in a remote area north of the collision. The subject was taken into custody without incident. The subject, identified as Brandon James Tosh (30 years of age of Kingman), was identified as the passenger of the pickup truck. A records check revealed active warrants for his arrest for Disorderly Conduct and Assault and he was transported to the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility where he was booked on the warrants.
The driver of the pickup truck was identified as Maximiliano Chavez Jr. (29 years of age of Kingman) and a felony warrant was issued for his arrest. On Saturday (5/3) at approximately 7:56 AM, Deputies responded to the 3800 block of W. Bolsa Dr. after receiving a phone call from a resident. The resident advised that he was outside in his yard when a male subject walked up to him asking for water. During this time, the subject had admitted having been involved in a traffic collision and fleeing.
Upon arrival, Deputies identified the subject as Maximiliano Chavez Jr. Chavez was taken into custody and transported to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives took custody of Chavez and interviewed him in reference to the traffic collision. During the interview, Chavez admitted to being the driver of the pickup truck involved in the collision. Chavez also admitted having been out all night consuming alcohol and was returning from Laughlin prior to the collision. Chavez admitted to his speeds in excess of 70 miles an hour prior to the collision. Chavez further admitted to running from the scene after seeing the condition of the driver of the other vehicle.
Maximiliano Chavez Jr. had minor injuries consistent with the collision. After receiving medical clearance, he was booked into the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility where he was charged with 2nd Degree Murder, a class 1 felony. Additional information was obtained during the investigation that showed Brandon Tosh had provided false information to law enforcement during the initial investigation. Based on this information, Tosh was additionally charged with Hindering Prosecution, a class 5 felony.
ORIGINAL 5/2/25 11:00 AM: FATAL VEHICLE COLLISION- GOLDEN VALLEY
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is working an active fatal accident investigation currently on Shinarump, in Golden Valley. Shinarump Rd is closed between. Oatman Rd and Coconino Rd as we are working an active fatal hit and run collision. We are looking for two adult male subjects who fled the scene on foot. One subject is described as an adult white male and the other as a Hispanic adult male. Both subjects are in dark blue shirts and blue jeans. If anyone sees anyone I. The area fitting these descriptions or are suspicious we are encouraging them to contact the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office at 927-753-0753 option 1.
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