Baby Delivered After Life-Threatening Accident

A baby was delivered by caesarian section after the mother was left in critical condition in a late Thursday night accident in Yuma County, Arizona.

The baby was expected to survive, Yuma County sheriff’s spokesman Capt. Eben Bratcher said, but the mother, 19-year-old Karen Martinez of Yuma, suffered life-threatening injuries in the accident at 3E and.

Shortly before 11 p.m., Karen Martinez, 19, of Yuma, was traveling northbound on Avenue 3E in a Nissan passenger car when she was hit by a southbound Pontiac passenger car that had crossed the center line at County 14-1/2 Street, the sheriff’s office said.

Martinez, who suffered life-threatening injuries, was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where the caesarian was performed and she was listed in critical condition, the sheriff’s office said.

The driver of the Nissan, Jorge Martinez, 21, of Yuma, was taken to YRMC with minor injuries.

The driver of the Pontiac, Imelda Sandoval, 37, of San Luis, sustained minor injuries to the legs and feet, but declined to be taken to YRMC for treatment. A passenger in that vehicle, Efrain Picazo, 45, of San Luis, was uninjured, YCSO said.

The accident is under investigation. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor, YCSO stated. No citations had been issued as of Friday morning.