Phoenix, AZ – Inmate Dies After Car Accident on N 20th Ave
Phoenix, AZ (December 30, 2019) – A woman being held at the Graham County Adult Detention Center has died after allegedly slipping from her restraints and jumping out of a moving sheriff’s vehicle on Thursday.
According to officials from the Phoenix Police Department, Jorden Marie Simms, 28, was being transported to the Mount Graham Regional Medical Center in Safford for an exam when she removed her restraints and exited the Ford Explorer’s rear driver’s side door.
The Graham County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that emergency personnel responded to the incident near the 1900 block of 20th Avenue and transported Simms to the nearby Mount Graham hospital with life-threatening injuries, which included head trauma. She was later airlifted to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, where she was later pronounced dead.
Simms was arrested on December 21 by the Safford Police Department and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Center for a felony warrant from Yavapai County. The Police Department did not respond to a request for information on her arrest but claimed that Simms was taken to a medical facility for a forensic exam after she made assault allegations against a Safford officer on December 23rd.
The next day, Simms told the Sheriff’s Office that the detention officer sexually assaulted her when she returned from the hospital around 4:00 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office said.
At that point, a sheriff’s deputy and detention supervisor transported her to a family advocacy center in Sierra Vista for an exam on December 26th. After the exam was completed and based on the recommendation of a medical professional at the center, it was determined that Simms should be taken to Mount Graham for further exams before returning to the detention facility.
The initial investigation, conducted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, showed that officers loosened her ankle restraints and that the child-proof lock used to prevent the rear doors from being opened from the inside was switched off on the rear driver’s side door, which allowed her to open the door.
The incident remains under investigation.
We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Jorden Marie Simms at this time.
Fatal Car Accidents in Arizona
Hundreds of wrecks occur each day on Arizona roads, ranging from minor fender benders to accidents with serious injuries or fatalities. Nearly 130,000 crashes occurred across the state last year, with almost 11,000 involving more than two drivers and countless injuries and deaths, according to data released by the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Victims’ families are left to pick up the pieces after a fatal accident. When these devastating incidents occur, families must deal with insurance companies and financial difficulties, all while grieving their loved one’s death. Furthermore, families often have to cope with long-term emotional trauma as a result of these tragic, unjust accidents. However, those affected can seek help from a lawyer to protect their legal rights and seek compensation from a wrongful death suit.
ELG Law’s Arizona attorneys have years of experience fighting for victims and their families after they’ve suffered from a crash caused by the negligent actions of other drivers. If you’ve lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence, it’s important that you consult our skilled, knowledgeable wrongful death lawyers in Phoenix. Contact our accident attorneys today at (623) 562-3838 to schedule your free consultation.
Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that, to your knowledge, is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.
Disclaimer: As members of the local Phoenix and broader Arizona community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. However, this information should not be misconstrued as legal advice, and you should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation.
