What began as a routine night in Yuma quickly spiraled into tragedy—and questions are mounting about what really happened.
A family is left shattered after a road rage incident allegedly ended with a teen running over his own younger brother. Witnesses are scarce, video evidence is missing, and the details remain murky, leaving the community—and the family—searching for answers. Was this a split-second accident, or is there more to the story than anyone knows?
A Yuma teen now faces murder charges after police reported that he ran over and killed his younger brother during a road rage incident Saturday night.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. in a Starbucks parking lot near 4th and Arizona avenues. According to authorities, 19-year-old Juan Figueroa and his younger brother, Javier Figueroa, were in the same vehicle when a confrontation erupted with a 36-year-old driver. The disagreement escalated into a violent encounter, and police said Juan allegedly struck Javier with a vehicle. Javier was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
Yuma police identified and questioned the 36-year-old driver, who was subsequently released. However, how events unfolded remains unclear, as no surveillance cameras covered the area.
“Our detectives are doing everything they can, scouring the area for any video or evidence,” said Yuma Police Sgt. Lori Franklin.
Juan Figueroa has been arrested and faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
The boys’ father, Joseph Figueroa, insists the other driver was chasing his sons. He said that during the pursuit, his sons called him, reporting that someone was following and attempting to hit their car.
“I told them to hang up and call 911 because the police station was just down the street, but I guess they didn’t make it,” Joseph said.
Now, Joseph is struggling to piece together the events of that night. “I’m trying to bury one son and bail the other one. I need to know the truth so I can help him,” he added.
Joseph has received messages from witnesses through social media and believes there is more to the story than currently reported. He described his sons as inseparable.
“Juan is a good kid, a hard worker—he just graduated,” he said. Javier, who went by “Milo,” was weeks away from his own high school graduation and turning 18.
The family has established a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Javier’s funeral.
Authorities confirmed that drugs and alcohol were not involved in the incident and urged anyone with information to contact police at 928-783-4421 or 928-782-7463, with the option to remain anonymous.
Conclusion
The Yuma road rage incident has left a family grappling with unimaginable loss while trying to understand a series of events that unfolded in mere moments. With one son deceased and another facing serious charges, the community is left searching for clarity amid conflicting accounts and limited evidence. As the investigation continues, the case underscores the fragility of life, the consequences of split-second decisions, and the desperate need for answers in the aftermath of tragedy.