Multi-Vehicle Accident Closed Highway 89 Tuesday Night In Chino Valley

A multi-vehicle accident closed Highway 89 in Chino Valley last night. Chino Valley Police say 24-year-old Jamie Trujillo-Ayala from Chino Valley was involved in an argument with his spouse in the Safeway parking lot at around 8:10 p.m. Ayala got into his white 2003 Ford F150 and drove onto East Road 2 North and through a red light at Highway 89. He collided with a red 2019 Chevy Silverado driven by 65-year-old Aaron Schlaifer from Chino Valley. The accident pushed the truck into the southbound lane, causing it to collide with a gold 2007 GMC Yukon driven by 51-year-old Maria Pedraza from Ash Fork. Ayala was airlifted from the scene. Pedraza was taken to Yavapai Regional Medical Center West Campus and was treated and released. Schlaifer was not injured. Investigators say speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors into the accident. The accident remains under investigation.