Tucson Resident Lost His Life in Car Accident

TUCSON, ARIZONA, US – A Tucson resident lost his life in a tragic car accident that happened south of the city. The victim was identified as Robert Helseth, 56.

According to reports from the Tucson Police Department, the accident occurred Thursday at 8:30 p.m. when an emergency report of a traffic accident between East Irvington Road and South Kolb Road was received.
Upon arrival, they located a single burning vehicle to the east of the intersection. The driver, Robert Helseth, 56, was still inside the vehicle.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames; however, the driver was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Traffic detectives with the Tucson Police Department responded to continue the investigation.

According to witness interviews by officers and detectives, Helseth was found to be traveling west on Irvington Road at high speed.
As he approached Kolb Road, the driver turned through the eastbound traffic lanes and collided with a sloping concrete barrier that separates the road from a stream below Irvington Rd. Helseth was traveling at sufficient speed that when he hit the incline barrier it caused his vehicle to take off and jump over the stream.

When the vehicle landed, it began to roll from end to end until it hit a power pole at the southeast corner of Irvington and Kolb. The vehicle caught fire immediately and Helseth was unable to get out. Based on highway evidence and witness statements, excessive speed appears to be a factor in the collision. It is unknown whether the driver died from injuries during the collision or from the fire.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. There were no other vehicles involved in the collision