A Holbrook girl was killed in a crash reported in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 5, on McLaws Road near Joseph City. A driver came upon the accident on McLaws Road about a half to three-quarters of a mile west of LX Ranch Road and called the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center at 12:41 a.m. on April 5. The caller reported there were two people lying on the side of the road. Responding deputies and Holbrook police officers found two subjects lying on the road outside of the vehicle. CPR was started on Fiona Kim Newman, 16, of Holbrook, who was found unresponsive. Holbrook EMS arrived and determined she had died. The other individual was identified as the driver, Jeremy Cole Knowlton, 22, of Sun Valley. He was conscious and was treated by EMS, and was later flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. Deputies found Esauyano Willie Jake, 16, of Holbrook walking in the road near the accident scene. Jake initially denied being involved in the accident, but later reportedly admitted he was the rear seat passenger in the vehicle. According to the NCSO, the initial investigation of the scene showed the vehicle was traveling west on McLaws Road at speeds greater than posted when it ran off right side of roadway. The driver lost control and the car rolled. The Arizona Department of Public Safety was contacted to assist with reconstructing the scene during the daylight hours. The investigation into the crash continues, and alcohol is suspected to be a contributing factor, according to the NCSO.
