A 48-year-old Arizona woman has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly driving drunk and slamming head-on into a minivan carrying seven people, killing three victims and injuring four others before fleeing the state.
Background
The crash occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on December 7, 2024, on US 93 in Congress, Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Amy Lynn Mickelson was driving her BMW sedan when she crossed the center line and struck a Toyota Sienna minivan head-on.
Three people in the minivan were pronounced dead at the scene: the 51-year-old driver and two passengers, ages 17 and 44. Mickelson was hospitalized with serious injuries following the collision.
The four remaining passengers in the van — all children between the ages of 5 and 16 — were rushed to area hospitals with serious injuries, DPS said.
After being released from the hospital, Mickelson fled Arizona and traveled to Utah, where she established residence. The Arizona Department of Public Safety requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service in locating her.
Mickelson was arrested on March 19 outside a convenience store in Salt Lake City. She is currently being held without bond in the Weber County Jail in Utah while she awaits extradition to Yavapai County, Arizona.
The Investigation
Investigators with the Arizona Department of Public Safety determined that Mickelson was impaired at the time of the crash. The investigation revealed that her BMW crossed the center line before striking the minivan.
The U.S. Marshals Service located Mickelson in Salt Lake City more than three months after the deadly crash. DPS did not provide a specific timeline regarding when she was released from the hospital or exactly when she fled to Utah.
Key Takeaways
- Three people killed: 51-year-old driver and two passengers, ages 17 and 44
- Four children injured, ages 5 through 16
- Mickelson charged with three counts of second-degree murder
- Additional charges include seven counts of aggravated assault, two counts of felony endangerment, one count of criminal damage, and one count of aggravated DUI
- Arrested March 19 in Salt Lake City, held without bond in Weber County Jail
What's Next
Mickelson remains in custody in Utah awaiting extradition proceedings to Yavapai County, Arizona. No court dates have been set for the extradition hearing or subsequent criminal proceedings in Arizona.
The case will proceed through the Arizona court system where Mickelson will face multiple felony charges including second-degree murder and aggravated DUI.