EAC student in fatal single vehicle rollover

A teenager died Friday afternoon after he rolled his sport utility vehicle along Highway 191 south of Safford.

Braxton J. Hutchinson, 18, of Benson was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash that occurred at about milepost 91, which is roughly four miles north of the junction with Interstate 10 and just inside Cochise County. Hutchinson was previously admitted to the Eastern Arizona College but never enrolled, according to Todd Haynie, EAC Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

A passing motorist saw the wreckage of Hutchinson's black 2000 Chevy Blazer and called authorities at about 12:30 p.m., according to Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. Dan Long.

The Blazer was southbound toward the interstate when it apparently drifted off the right lane past the asphalt shoulder and onto the dirt shoulder, where it remained for between 100 to 200 feet, according to a DPS report. Hutchinson then steered sharply to the left and returned to the roadway, corrected back to the right and then again to the left before he lost control. The Blazer then rotated counterclockwise into the median and overturned. Hutchinson was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the SUV.

A preliminary investigation suggested speed and possible fatigue/driver inattentiveness contributed to the crash. There were no indications of driver impairment.

An ambulance from Willcox and a LifeNet helicopter responded to the scene, but medical personal confirmed Hutchinson died in the crash, according to Long.