YCSO ASKING FOR PUBLIC'S HELP IN FATAL THUMB BUTTE AREA ACCIDENT

Published on August 19, 2024

The evening of August 16, 2024, YCSO deputies responded to the Thumb Butte Loop Road area, approximately two miles before it meets Copper Basin Rd, for the report of an accident where a vehicle went off a cliff. Deputies were able to locate the vehicle approximately 1,000 feet down the steep mountainside, and after hiking down, also located a deceased occupant of the car.

The victim was identified as 39-year-old Kristin Little of Prescott, who had been ejected from the car about halfway down the side of the mountain. The area was steep and hard to navigate with thick brush, so YCSO flew drones, and a DPS Ranger helicopter assisted in looking for any other possible occupants of the vehicle, but did not locate anyone. Due to the difficult terrain and the coming darkness, the decision was made to wait until daylight on August 17th to recover the body. YCSO personnel remained with the victim throughout the night. Just prior to noon on the 17th, the victim was transported to the Medical Examiner’s office.

It is believed the victim was driving her white 1995 Toyota 4-Runner north on Thumb Butte Loop Rd and veered to the left, causing her to go off the road and down the mountainside. The incident remains under investigation. 

YCSO is now asking for the public's help in this case. If you witnessed anything in the area around the time of the accident (7-8pm), and you feel it may be pertinent to the investigation, please call YCSO Criminal Investigations at 928-771-3260 or you may call Silent Witness (where you remain anonymous) at 800-932-3232 or go to yavapaisw.com.

No matter how small or insignificant you may think your information is, please contact us as soon as possible.