ARIZONA – AZ Authorities arrested a woman that was directly involved in a devastating crash that killed one adult and five children on I-10.
Iyona Holton, 35-year-old, was arrested on Thursday, July 8 in connection with the crash that killed six on July 2 on I-10 near Tonopah. Holton was arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on multiple charges, including:
- Four counts of Aggravated Assault, Class 2 Felony 13-1204 (A)(1),
- One count of Possession of Dangerous Drugs, Class 6 Felony, 13-3407 (A)(1),
- One count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class 6 Felony, 13-3415 (A)(1),
The charges were released in a news release by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS), and they were issued as a result of the crash.
The Arizona DPS statement stated, “Investigators determined the two passenger vehicles, a GMC Envoy and a Nissan Altima, were initially traveling westbound on I-10. Both vehicles drove into and through the dirt median, a marked “No U-Turn” zone, in order to turn around and travel eastbound on I-10. As the GMC and Nissan vehicles entered the eastbound travel lanes, they were struck by a commercial tractor-trailer.”
The release continued, “As a result of the collision, both the GMC and Nissan sustained significant damage. The driver and four passengers in the GMC were transported to nearby hospitals with serious injuries.”
“The driver of the Nissan, identified as Natisha Nicole Moffett, 35, of Phoenix, and her five passengers all suffered fatal injuries and were declared deceased at the scene,” the release concluded.
The six who were in the Nissan were headed to California to celebrate the 4th of July. Alongside Natisha Moffett, the Nissan was also transporting Jo’syia Moffett, 17, Giovanni Thomas-Blakney, 16, Santari Witherspoon Jr., 16, Makayla Thomas-Blakney, 5, Malik Thomas-Blakney Jr., 8.
Holton was behind the wheel of the GMC vehicle. According to court documents, Holton was a friend of Moffett’s. Moments before the crash, Holton got a flat tire and called Moffett to inform her she is going to cross the median to seek help. Holton told Moffett to follow her across the median.
The truck driver who collided with the cars was uninjured.
