9-Year-Old Girl Dies in Mitchell County Crash

A 9-year-old girl, Jazmine Aiyana Martinez, of Phoenix, Arizona, died Friday in an afternoon crash on IH-20, about 2 miles east of Colorado City.

DPS officials said the driver of a 2006 Dodge Durango, Renee Christine Martinez, 35, of Phoenix, was traveling west on IH-20 at 3:09 p.m. when her left rear tire blew out. At that point, Martinez lost control and the vehicle rolled over on to its right.

Jazmine, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected onto the roadway and was struck by a 2007 Peterbilt truck/tractor towing a trailer. The driver, Steven Schoonover, 52, of Wynne, Arkansas, was also traveling west.

Renee Martinez and a 14-year-old juvenile in her vehicle suffered serious non-incapacitating injuries, and they were transported to Mitchell County Hospital. Another passenger, Tillie Marie Hernandez, 54, of Phoenix, suffered serious incapacitating injuries, and she was transported to Midland Memorial. Schoonover did not suffer any injuries.

All but Jazmine wore a seat belt.

Studies show that your chance of surviving critical injury or death increases by 50 percent when wearing a seat belt,” said DPS. “Please wear your seat belt.”

The posted speed limit in the area is 75 miles per hour, and the road conditions were dry on that day. Trooper Michael Doan, DPS Colorado City, is the investigating officer.