Woman survives crash in Greenlee

By Walter Mares
Copper Era Managing Editor
Published on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 9:52 AM MST

A Green Valley woman survived an experience akin to something from a Stephen King horror novel. She spent two days in the mountains in freezing temperatures with her dead husband, who was killed when their vehicle plunged down a steep embankment on the often-treacherous Coronado Trail in Greenlee County .

According to Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. Gary Ciminski, Mary Dunton, 59, incurred nonlife-threatening injuries, while her husband, Jack Dutton, died at the scene. The crash is believed to have occurred around 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, around milepost 208 near Rose Peak. The Coronado Trail is officially U.S. Highway 191.

The wreck was discovered Thursday by an Arizona Department of Transportation snow plow driver who saw a bent road marker and skid marks leading off the road. Ciminski, from the DPS Springerville District Office, said the Toyota Tundra pickup truck rolled about one-quarter mile down the mountainside. Mary Dutton was ejected from the vehicle about 200 yards down the embankment.

Ciminski said that due to some of her injuries, Dutton's eyesight was severely hampered, thus making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for her to climb to the road. He described the terrain as being thick with bushes and other vegetation. "It was very rough and difficult to climb," he said. "It took us 'healthy' people about half an hour to climb up."

Adding to Dutton's misery was a snowfall of about 3 inches Tuesday night. It snowed again Wednes-day. "It was extremely cold. She had to deal with freezing temperatures," Ciminski said. It is unknown if the Duttons had cold-weather gear with them.

Mary Dutton was flown to University Medical Center for treatment. Her condition was unknown as of press time, but Ciminski said he believes her injuries were not life-threatening.

The Coronado Trail, in its run from Morenci in Greenlee County and Alpine in Apache County, is narrow, winding and steep. It is part of the national scenic byway system. There are many hairpin curves, and there are almost no guard rails to speak of. It can take 2-3 hours to drive the 100 miles from Morenci to Alpine, depending on how cautiously one drives.

The trail is popular among motorcycle and sports car groups because of the challenge it offers drivers. It reaches an elevation of 9,000 feet at one point. The road is sometimes closed during part of the winter.

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Comments

14 comment(s)

ma wrote on Nov 18, 2009 3:47 PM:

" Walter Do you suppose just this once you coulld find your way to follow upon this story. Is the lady O.K.? Do accident investigators have any idea what caused this crash? "

ac wrote on Nov 6, 2009 1:27 PM:

" I don't know why the reference to a Stephen King novel bothers you people, the poor woman went off a mountain and lay half blind in the freezing cold for 2 days, probley calling out to her husband the whole time not knowing he had died. Im sure the fear of predetors were on her mind too such as bears or wolves. It sounds exactly what would be in a Stephen King book. "

Jane Doe wrote on Nov 5, 2009 11:35 AM:

" Thank God for her survival and I pray for a speedy recovery. What this article does not say..... Thank you Emergency Rescue Responce Team from Morenci for all the rope work, DPS Helicopter crew (for the short haul), Life Flight and Greenlee Paramedics. Lets not forget the DPS that was also on scene helping with the two Landing Zones. It was very cold up there and this was a very dangerous area. 2006 same corner a truck went off this corner. Markers at least should be placed there. "

Annie wrote on Nov 5, 2009 9:29 AM:

" I agree with "What"... what is your point? It doesn't matter who it is, it's the Stephen King statement that was referenced. "

What wrote on Nov 5, 2009 6:47 AM:

" "Actually", What is your point? "

Actually wrote on Nov 4, 2009 11:32 PM:

" Actually, it you were smart enough to read the byline, Mr. Mares is the managing editor for the Copper Era newspaper that covers Greenlee County. I believe he resides in Clifton. "

your skills wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:08 PM:

" Glad you were there and experienced first hand what she went through to make such a comparison. Maybe you could write for the national enquirer. Only in Safford will you read such sub-level writing. "

Just Me wrote on Nov 4, 2009 3:55 PM:

" I thought the Stephen King reference aptly described the horror this woman went through. I hope the lady is OK, and I am sorry for your loss. "

Norm wrote on Nov 4, 2009 3:16 PM:

" I first traversed the former Devil's Highway in 1969, many times since, both up and down.

It is beautiful , no place for the ill-equipped, no place for 'fun and games', especially in the winter . . .

I feel sorrow for the Dutton Family and Agree
that the tie to a Stephen King Novel was
inappropriate. "

Shock wrote on Nov 4, 2009 1:44 PM:

" My God have mercy on the person who wrote this story. Would he want the newpaper to compare his loss of a loveone to a Stephen King story if it was the same situation. "

Annie wrote on Nov 4, 2009 12:50 PM:

" Stephen King novel? That's just not appropriate for an article about this poor couple. I hope Ms, Dutton heals from her mental and physical wounds successfully. It's so unfortunate that her husband didn't survive. My prayers are with them both. "

Lo-CAL wrote on Nov 3, 2009 9:37 PM:

" why did the article have to sound so seemingly nice? someone died , i know that it is a miracle that she is alive. it was uneccesary to compare this to a book. my blessing to her and her family. "

AZ wrote on Nov 3, 2009 6:00 PM:

" WOW! Thats very unfortunate about her husband. But I'm glad she survived that horrible experience. "

Matt wrote on Nov 3, 2009 1:35 PM:

" Wow!
What an event to survive.
That road is dangerous; that's for sure.
Mile after mile of hold on tight.
For us? To count our blessings.
Bad around here? Sure..but at least we're not part of a Steven King novel.
God bless everyone involved... "

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