Desert Aire man dies alone in wreck

DESERT AIRE - A 20-year-old Desert Aire man died Thursday night in a wreck about four miles south of Mattawa.

Ivan Martinez died on scene from injuries sustained in the crash, Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison said Friday.

Martinez was driving a 1991 Accura Integra eastbound in the westbound lane of Desert Aire Drive at a high rate of speed, according to Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones.

At around 5:15 p.m. the driver failed to negotiate a curve near Edgewater Way, leaving the roadway on the north side and rolling several times. The vehicle came to rest about 100 feet east of the Plum Way intersection and Martinez, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected, Jones stated.

Grant County Fire District 8 EMTs attempted to stabilize Martinez but he suffered critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene around 6 p.m., according to Jones.

Martinez was the lone occupant of the car and no one else was injured.

A preliminary investigation revealed alcohol consumption and excessive vehicle speed contributed to the wreck, Jones stated.

- Staff report