A 33-year-old Tucson woman has been jailed on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with a Tucson crash this week that killed five family members, court records show.
Malyn Christine Pavolka made her initial appearance Tuesday evening on suspicion of five counts of manslaughter. Bond was set at $1 million.
Pavolka is accused driving a Toyota sedan that slammed into a Nissan SUV about 4:45 p.m. Monday after running a red light on Arizona 86 near South San Joaquin Road. The impact sent the SUV into the median and it immediately went up in flames, killing all five people inside, the state Department of Public Safety has said.
Everyone killed in the SUV was related. The state DPS identified them as: Jose Ledesma, 73; Maria Ledesma, 71; Maria De Jesus Melendez, 95; Antonio Melendez, 73; and Susana Mosquera, 66.
The family members were on their way to play Bingo at a local casino when the crash occurred, a relative told KOLD TV in an interview.
Pavolka was taken to the hospital prior to being jailed.
Before the crash, Pavolka was allegedly spotted traveling about 85 mph, 30 miles above the posted speed limit in the area, according to a complaint filed in Pima County Justice Court.
The state DPS has said impairment was likely a factor in the wreck.
