**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Ongoing

**Death Investigation – Kingman**

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Detectives are actively investigating a residential structure fire that resulted in a fatality on December 24, 2024, in Kingman. The victim, identified as Joyce Gail Sawyer, aged 70, of Kingman, succumbed to her injuries at Kingman Regional Medical Center. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

**Fatal Traffic Crash – Littlefield**

Deputies from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office are examining a fatal vehicle collision that occurred on December 24, 2024, in Littlefield. The incident involved a Ford truck traveling northbound on Highway 91 that crossed the center line and collided with a southbound Toyota truck.

The driver of the Toyota truck, Donald Alan Thurston, aged 59, of Prineville, Oregon, was pronounced deceased. A passenger in the Toyota sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital.

The driver of the Ford truck, Michael Doan, aged 46, of Las Vegas, fled the scene on foot but was later apprehended. Doan admitted involvement in the collision and exhibited signs of alcohol impairment. He was initially booked into the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility on charges of 2nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault. Additional charges include Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Criminal Damage, Failure to Remain at an Accident Scene Involving Serious Injury/Death, and DUI.

Both investigations are ongoing, and further details will be provided as they become available.

For more information, please contact the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.

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ORIGINAL 12/26/24: DEATH INVESTIGATION – KINGMAN
On Tuesday (12/24), Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the 2800 block of Hearne Ave. in Kingman in reference to a residential structure fire. Upon arrival, a victim was located within the residence. Deputies attempted to remove the victim, however were overcome by smoke and heat. Personnel with the Northern Arizona Fire District were able to extricate the victim from the residence and immediately began life saving measures. The victim was transported to the Kingman Regional Medical Center where they later succumbed to their injuries. A Deputy was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released for smoke inhalation. The name of the victim is being withheld pending next of kin notification. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

ORIGINAL 12/26/24: FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH – LITTLEFIELD
On Tuesday (12/24) at approximately 6:22 PM, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a
traffic collision in the area of Mile Post #3 on Highway 91 in Littlefield. The investigation revealed that a Ford
truck was traveling north bound on Highway 91 when it crossed the center line and struck a Toyota truck
that was traveling south bound. After the collision, the driver and sole occupant of the Ford, later identified
as Michael Doan, 46 of Las Vegas, ran from the scene. Deputies immediately searched the area and found
Doan to be hiding a short distance from the crash. Doan admitted to his involvement in the collision and
showed signs and symptoms of impairment from alcohol. The driver of the Toyota was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger of the Toyota was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At the conclusion of the initial investigation, Michael Doan was transported to the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility where he was booked for 2nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault. The name of the victim is being withheld at this time. This case remains under investigation and additional charges are pending.