BLACK CANYON CITY, AZ — A man is facing charges after a teen boy was badly injured while riding on the hood of a moving vehicle.
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office officials say at about 7:45 p.m. Monday, February 1, emergency crews were alerted of a young teenage victim in the area of East Squaw Valley Road and Lapidary Place in Black Canyon City.
They found a 16-year-old boy on the ground with obvious head trauma. He had to be airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital for treatment.
Investigators say witnesses and nearby residents told them that the teen was riding up and down Squaw Valley Road on the hood of a vehicle.
The investigation revealed that the driver had quickly fled the scene after the teen slid off the hood of the car.
At about 8:20 p.m., 21-year-old Miguel Orozco, of Black Canyon City, returned to the scene and contacted deputies, the Sheriff's Office said.
He admitted he was driving a black Toyota Corolla with the victim hanging onto the hood at a speed of approximately 25-30 miles per hour.
He stated the victim slid off the car and was struck by the front of the car while it was still moving.
He told deputies he made sure the victim was still breathing before he took off because he was afraid he would get in trouble for his actions.
Sobriety tests, along with a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation, were conduced and confirmed Orozco was under the influence of cannabis at the time of the incident, according to YCSO.
He was arrested and booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges of child abuse, aggravated assault, leaving the scene of a serious injury collision, endangerment, and driving under the influence drugs.
The victim's name hasn't been released and his current condition is unknown.
The investigation remains ongoing.
