A Yuma teen is accused of murder after police said he ran over and killed his younger brother in a road rage incident on Saturday night.
It happened in the Starbucks parking lot near 4th and Arizona avenues around 8 p.m.
Police said 19-year-old Juan Figueroa and Javier Figueroa were riding in the same car when they got into a road-rage confrontation with a 36-year-old driver.
The dispute escalated into a fight where police said Juan ran Javier over. Javier was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Yuma police said the 36-year-old driver, who has not been identified, was questioned and later released.
However, how the incident unfolded remains unclear. Police said there were no cameras pointed in the area where the confrontation took place.
“Our detectives are doing everything, scouring the area for any videos, anything,” said Yuma Police Sgt. Lori Franklin.
Juan was arrested and is facing first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder charges.
The boys’ father, Joseph Figueroa, insists the other driver was chasing his sons. He said his sons had called him during the chase, telling him that a driver was pursuing them and trying to hit their car.
“I told them to hang up and call 911 because the police station was just down the street, but I guess they didn’t make it,” Joseph said.
Joseph is now struggling to make sense of what happened that night. “I need to find out the truth and help him out,” he said.
Joseph said he just wants answers.
“I’m trying to bury one son and bail the other one. I need to know the truth so I can help him,” said Joseph.
Joseph said people who witnessed the incident have reached out to him through social media and he believes there is more to the story.
Joseph told Arizona’s Family his sons were inseparable.
“Juan, he is a good kid, a hard worker. He just graduated,” Joseph said. Javier was set to graduate soon and was weeks away from turning 18.
Joseph said Juan had recently graduated from high school, and Javier, who went by “Milo,” was set to graduate soon and turn 18 in just a few weeks.
Their family has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for Javier’s funeral.
Police are still investigating and said drugs and alcohol were not factors.
They are asking anyone with information about the case to call 928-783-4421 or 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.