Bits and Pieces

Regional safety data shows rising fatalities and identifies local hotspots 

A presentation from the Pima Association of Governments to the town council last week highlighted a 10-year increase in traffic fatalities across the region, including pedestrians and cyclists, while also identifying crash “hot spots,” many at intersections along corridors such as Tangerine and Oracle. PAG provides data tools and Road Safety Assessments used by Oro Valley staff to evaluate roadway safety and prioritize improvements. Their data also showed some positive trends, including increased bicycle helmet use and declines in unsafe riding behaviors. Travel pattern analysis indicated that many trips through problem areas outside town begin or end in Oro Valley, meaning incidents elsewhere can affect local residents. (Source: The Oro Valley Town Council Meeting, 4-09-26)

Marketplace development continues with new buildings underway

The Town reports that construction at Oro Valley Marketplace continues to move forward, with new apartment buildings now going vertical as part of the ongoing development in the area. The project remains one of the more visible signs of current growth activity, with additional phases, including related infrastructure and nearby improvements, also progressing.  ( OV Edge. 04-10-26)

Wilkins outlines how the need for a traffic signal is evaluated and communicated

Town Manager Jeff Wilkins explained to council last week that traffic signals are installed based on established criteria, including road capacity, safety concerns, conflicting traffic, level of service, pedestrian needs, and standards in the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices. He added that “typically these will be installed when they meet one or more warrants,” though other factors such as sight distance or “unique safety issues or physical characteristics of the road or the intersection” may also be considered. His explanation was in response to council member questions exactly how it is decided that there should or should not be a traffic light at a location. (Source: The Oro Valley Town Council Meeting, 4-09-26)

OV Path Forward General Plan moves forward to council after unanimous Planning and Zoning Commission Approval

Tuesday night, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended adoption of the Path Forward General Plan at the conclusion of its second public hearing. Only one resident spoke during the hearing, expressing support for the plan. Commission discussion was brief and generally supportive, with members noting the extensive resident input behind the plan and the work completed over the past three years. The next step is for the plan to be presented to Town Council in May before being placed on the November ballot for voter consideration. (source: Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of April 14, 2026)

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LOVE’s Top Five Stories of 2023

What a year it was
We've scoured our hundred or so postings this year and selected our top five.

1. St. Patrick’s Day Tragedy
There's no doubt that this is the top story of the year. Olivia Villalobos was killed, and her sister was severely injured when struck by a car on St. Patrick's Day at the Naranja Park entrance. They were just trying to get home from the park when they were struck by the car driven by Sabrina Garcia. The case against the driver, Sabrina Garcia, is being prosecuted by the City of Tucson, and we anticipate resolution in 2024. The town had planned to make immediate significant improvements to pedestrian safety in the area, but that has been put on hold because of an $89.6 million lawsuit due to the accident. What happens regarding the settlement of the suit will be a big story in 2024.

2. Residents rail against OVCN proposed sports complex

At the beginning of the year, the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) continued to press for rezoning for a huge sports complex on residential land it had purchased some years ago that is adjacent to the church on Concordia. Residents have fought hard against it. The proposal was heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission in February. It was supposed to be heard by the council after that, but that hearing was postponed. Nothing has happened since then. One might think that the proposal is dormant at this point, but we don't think so. Things like this never go away, so the residents are going to have to continue to be vigilant.

3. Marketplace approved to start with zero town funding

The Town Council "stood tall" when it rejected investing about $10 million in infrastructure to support the recreation area proposed by Town West as part of its planned revitalization of the Oro Valley Marketplace. It will be called the Oro Valley Village Center.  Instead, Town West requested, and the council approved changes to the recreation area so that the revitalization could start. 

4. Record town budget of $148 million

In June, the Town Council passed an historic budget of $148 million, driven up by the imperative to use remaining $25 million from the Naranja Park Bond and the use of $15 million in ARPA funding. Anticipating reduced funds in the future, we foresee subsequent budgets being significantly lower. A major question for 2025 will revolve around how the Town manages its budget amidst the substantial increase in infrastructure costs, coupled with the apparent decline in future construction, thereby restricting potential construction tax revenue.

5. Wilkins era begins

In April, the Town appointed Jeff Wilkins as Town Manager. His hiring was the result of a nationwide search in which the community participated. Wilkins joined the town in July. We don't know Wilkins. From afar, his style strikes us as someone who is focussed on managing the business of Oro Valley as opposed to striving to change our community.

They were many other stories from which to select

• The “Umbrella Lady”, Lydia Reis, was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Ina Road. 
• The Arizona Heroes Memorial in Naranja Park broke ground. 
• The Town of Oro Valley earned the 2023 Water Waster Award. 
• Henry Zipf, great grandson of the Pusch Family and avid LOVE reader died. 
• The town enacted and implemented a short-term rental ordinance. 
• Long-time Parks and Recreation Director Kristy Diaz-Trahan resigned in July, just two months after we celebrated her 10th anniversary with the Town. 
• Sinking houses on Moore Loop Road. 
• The town council asked for a report on golf operations. The report will include an independent audit of reported operating and financial results. 
• Staff kicked off a three year process to create the 2026 general plan. They're calling it Oro Valley's Path Forward.

We look for more exciting stuff next year.

In the meantime, it's time to kick back and relax.

We'll see you January 2 to help launch Tim Tarris’ historic flight around the globe.

Enjoy the holidays.

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Near Term Fix For Pedestrian Access At Naranja Park Entrance “In the Works”

What is being considered will make a huge difference in pedestrian safety

Last week, we reported that town staff is considering actions to improve pedestrian safety at the Naranja Drive entrance to Naranja Park. At that time, we stated that we would report what we learned about this as we learned it.  Our latest information is based on a March 5 memo to the Oro Valley Town Council from Public Works Director Paul Keesler. 

Considering a “Gravity block retaining wall system” to separate pedestrians from cars on the south side of Naranja Drive

A gravity wall is a physical hard surface wall. Such would run along those sections on the south side of Naranja Drive where “pedestrians must use the hard shoulder due to the presence of a guardrail or steep adjacent slope.” There are four of these areas on Naranja Drive. Keesler’s memo does not specifically identify the park entrance area as one of these sections. But it is one.  It is where the tragic March 17 accident occurred. Had a gravity wall been in place, the teens would not have been hit by the car because they would have been on the pedestrian side of the wall.

Construct a pedestrian connection for the “pinch point” on the north side of Naranja Drive this summer

There is a section on the north side of the Naranja Drive entrance where the town installed a vehicular right-turn lane. When they did that, the town eliminated the pedestrian walkway since they paved over it. The town did not make any allowance to accommodate the fact that pedestrians could no longer walk there. This summer, staff will construct “…a temporary pedestrian connection … from east of the right-turn lane into the Archery Range parking lot.” Had this been place on March 17, the teenagers could have used it to safely get to the unmarked crosswalk back to their grandparent’s home on Pomegranate Dr. They would never have been on Naranja Drive at all.

Studying adding other safety measures for those crossing Naranja Drive to the park like a HAWK light and crosswalks

There is no pedestrian controlled traffic light or a marked crosswalk at the park entrance. Town staff had decided against this for two reasons. One is that staff decided that it it would not be used very much. Second, and of much more importance, staff recognized that "The crossing would not end on a pedestrian facility on the south side of Naranja Drive, such as on a sidewalk or MUP system".  

Staff is now reconsidering this decision. The gravity wall retaining system, which they will hopefully build, will create the “pedestrian facility” that does not now exist.

Studying a change in speed limit

Keesler’s memo states the staff is studying the speed limit for the park entrance section of the park. The current speed limit is 45 mph. There is a “cautionary” speed limit of 35mph as eastbound drivers approach the park entrance. There is no such sign as for westbound drivers. Keesler memo states “ Speed should be set on a thorough data- based evaluation, that is based on the 85th percentile speed profile.” We are not sure what that means. Frankly, the area needs to be designated similar to a school zone, marked and speed limited as such.

You need to act

Please contact any of the town council members to voice your support of improving pedestrian safety at the park entrance now. Let them know that waiting for a long term multi-use path solution simply will not do.

The Naranja Drive St. Patrick's Day Tragedy: Here's What Happened

There was nothing the teens could do to avoid the tragedy ... The car was driving in the shoulder lane...headed right at them

There was nothing they could’ve done to avoid the tragedy that was about to befall them. A 3,300 pound car traveling east at 43 mph in the right shoulder of Naranja Drive, clearly over the fog line, struck them on St. Patrick’s Day this year. That's two months go today.

They were walking east, almost at the intersection of Naranja Drive and Pomegranate. The car came up from behind them. Only one of them saw it coming. It happened so fast. One of the victims "...observed a small black car that seem to move over and then came back towards her as it got closer at which time it hit them."

They were no brakes applied.

Police conclude that the driver was distracted by something

...possibly the open “Maps app” on their phone. or perhaps the driver “zoned out” after getting only a few hours of sleep after a night of "drinking."

Regardless, for some reason, the driver, Sabrina Garcia, didn’t see the teens until it was too late. The passenger side of her car was well into the designated pedestrian lane (shoulder). It was only inches from the where the land ends and the dirt begins.

At or just after the moment of impact, based on our reading of the Oro Valley Police Department detail incident report, 13-year old Olivia Villalobos was killed and her sister Avry incurred life threatening injuries.  A dog Olivia was pushing in the carriage was also killed at that moment; and a dog that Avry was walking was hit so hard that it landed in the wash, on the other side of the guard rail, dying from critical injuries. A friend who was walking with them, Emily, was just a few steps away, in the dirt on the south of the curb. She did not get hit.

Tremendous family suffering

The police report documents the human suffering on the part of the family. It is heartbreaking. This was the worst day of their lives and then some. Imagine, your child goes out for a walk with her friend and sister and her pets and she doesn’t come back. Devastating.

As Olivia‘s mother, Casey Lutz, said in response to a posting we made online:

“Olivia was just a baby girl trying to enjoy a day walking to the park with her sister and her old, VERY old (hence the stroller) dog, and she was killed, and her sister left with such severe injuries she will never be the same again. None of our lives will be the same again. Be safe out there guys.. it's just crazy… I won't be driving down that road again but maybe [safety improvements] will save your children from being killed..it is a park after all …Olivia would want the kids to be safe.”

Not one mother. Not one father. Not one grandparent. Should ever suffer this tragedy.

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Note: Police have filed two charges against Garcia. She is currently set for arraignment on June 7 at 9am in the Oro Valley Magistrate Court. You can listen to court proceeding here. Click on the "live audio courtroom" link.

Note: Per the Police Report: Garcia's version of what happened is that  "..when she turned [from Naranja Park east toward first avenue], she recalls seeing people walking on the shoulder of eastbound Naranja Dr. She advised that she was in her lane about to pass the teenagers when she observed the dog stroller suddenly turn to the left 'like she was going to cross the road'. [The investigation concluded that there was no reason Olivia would have done this as she was going to turn right onto Pomegranate to go home]. [Garcia] said the next thing that she noticed was that there was 'legs in the air'. Sabrina told [the reporting officer] that she then came to a stop and called the police. [The reporting officer] asked her how fast she thinks she was going and she said approximately 20mph. [The reporting officer] asked her if she was distracted while driving and she stated no."

Source: The source of this report is the Oro Valley Police Department "Detail Incident Report". The report is replete with details regarding the scene.  We have chosen not to repeat the ugliness of it all. You are welcome to read the report. Though we caution, you do so at your own risk because it is upsetting. 

Arrest Made in Naranja Drive Pedestrian Collision

"Arrest made in Naranja Drive pedestrian collision 

Oro Valley (April 27, 2023)- Oro Valley Police Department has completed their investigation regarding the pedestrian fatality collision that occurred on Naranja Drive on March 17th. As a result of the investigation, the driver of the vehicle, Sabrina Garcia was arrested for one count each of Causing Death by Moving Violation and Causing Serious Physical Injury by Moving Violation. 

After making use of all available resources, including the town’s legal department, it was determined that the charges filed are appropriate given the facts of the case. Our collision reconstruction revealed that speeding, impairment, and phone usage were not factors in this collision. 

The tragic loss of a young life has long lasting emotional impact on the entire community, and we share in that loss. Our hearts go out to all of the family and friends of the young victim of this tragedy."

(Source: Oro Valley Police Department Media Release)

Being charged with a "Class 1" misdemeanor

Both of these offenses are Class 1 misdemeanors. Thus, the case will be heard in Oro Valley Town Court. If guilty, the individual's driver's license will be suspended for a period of up to one year, restitution of up to $100,000 may be awarded, and the individual will be required to attend driving school.

Detailed report pending

LOVE will publish the investigation report once it is issued by the Department.

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Town Acts To Improve Safety On Naranja Drive...But Residents Want More Now

Teen's death on Naranja Drive spurs action
On March 17, a teen girl was killed by a motorist on Naranja Drive. Her dog was also killed and another teen was injured in the accident. The location of the incident is where Naranja Drive intersects with Pomegranate Drive. That is at the entrance to Naranja Park. The Police Department is working on their investigation. That report will be available this week. We will publish it for all to read.

The town does not consider that road and that area imminently dangerous to bicyclists and pedestrians
According to town Public Works Director, Paul Keesler, that road does not pose an imminent risk to bicyclists and pedestrians. Note, that Keesler is referring to Naranja Drive in total and not to the entrance to Naranja Park, which is where the accident happened:

“Naranja drive, much like many other two lane arterials and collectors within Oro Valley (Shannon, Moore, west Lambert, Buena Vista, for example) does currently provide safe and separate pedestrian travel corridors via paved and soft shoulders. In fact, Naranja Drive between La Canada to First Avenue offers more paved shoulder than many other similar roads within Oro Valley, as well as providing the maximum soft shoulder the surrounding terrain allows. Combined with State Statute 28-735 Overtaking bicycles; civil penalties where vehicular traffic must exhibit caution and space passing a bicycle, these two-lane collectors and arterials do not exhibit a history of frequent pedestrian versus automobile collisions. Yes, providing separated multi-use paths is even safer and better for the traveling pedestrian community, but to make the claim that Oro Valley streets without adjoining MUP’s [Multi-Use Path] or sidewalks pose an imminent risk to the public is not supported by data." 

Public Works Director Keesler:  Town acted immediately to address situation

"This incident was immediately addressed within the Town’s internal Traffic Safety Committee (TSC). The TSC is a consortium that is composed of members from Engineering, PD, Planning, Legal, GRFD, and Safety Management." 

According to Keesler, the town has initiated the following actions:

• Increased Police patrol 
• Added this section of Naranja to the Police traffic complaint hotline – the traffic unit has added it to their list of complaints that they actively work 
• Speed trailer present next week 
• Increased speed enforcement stops to provide education to motorists 
• Continue to work on the MUP, processing this through the Federal system to get under construction
• Will be conducting a speed study next week to confirm the proper posted speed limit. Posting an artificial speed limit that is too high or too low for the design of the street can actually pose additional hazards/problems. That is why the Town adheres to setting speed limits that correspond to the use and design of a particular street. 

Site of the incident is the entrance to Naranja Park.. inherently dangerous to pedestrian travel

We don't know the details of the accident. We are awaiting the police report to learn that. However, we do know that the accident occurred east of the entrance to Naranja Park. The panel at right is a picture of that area, viewed from Pomegranate. 

As you can see from the panel, there is a narrow paved shoulder between the eastbound travel lane and a guard rail. Any pedestrian walking in that area has no escape route if danger is imminent.

There is no pedestrian walking shoulder on the north side of Naranja Drive [see panel below left]. This is because there is a guard rail that abuts an entrance lane to Naranja Park. There is a travel lane for bicycles and a sign that tells drivers to beware of such.  There is no such warning regarding pedestrians. In addition, it appears that the town paved over a soft shoulder where once pedestrians could walk in order to create this exit lane. A pedestrian walking in that area is has no access option.

Finally, there is no cross walk nor is there a pedestrian controlled traffic light. Nor are there any signs to alert drivers to pedestrians going to and from the park. Add to this a 45mp speed limit, which is far too fast for this section of Naranja Drive.

Our conclusion: A pedestrian walking along the roadway in that area has no option to seek safety from traffic regardless of which side of the road they are on.

In comparison, pedestrian access to Riverfront Park access is far safer

The town knows how to create a safe park entrance.  The pedestrian access Riverfront Park is excellent. There, the town built multi-use paths and added pedestrian-controlled traffic light for crossing the roadway.  This access is first-class.

Pomegranate Drive residents want more action now

We asked the council what had been done to improve pedestrian/bicycle safety on Naranja Drive because we saw no changes on that road since the accident. We also listened to three residents who live on Pomegranate Drive.They spoke in the "call to audience" portion of last weeks Town Council meeting. They addressed their concerns about pedestrian safety on that road and made suggestions as to things that could be done immediately. Resident Dr. Diane Stephenson called for an immediate reduction of the speed limit. Another called for markers to be installed to demarcate the turnoff lane into the park, where the accident occurred. There is no pedestrian safe area there. A third decried a rather dismissive email received from Keesler discussing the long term solution of a planned multi-use path.

There is so much more that the town must do to make this entrance pedestrian safe now.

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