Interstate 17 near Camp Verde closed after carjacker who shot at troopers crashes
Feb 12, 2017, 11:46 AM | Updated: Feb 13, 2017, 7:20 am
The carjacking suspect is in critical condition after he crashed a GMC SUV head-on a semi-truck. (Photo courtesy DPS)
(Photo courtesy DPS)
CAMP VERDE, Ariz. — A carjacking suspect was flown to a hospital with life-threatening injuries after firing at Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers on Interstate 17 in Camp Verde before being involved in a head-on crash.
The Associated Press reported the suspect had died, but DPS spokesman Raul Garcia confirmed to KTAR that was not true.
Garcia said at 9:51 a.m., a red Ford Mustang was driving recklessly north of Camp Verde when it hit another vehicle. The driver then carjacked a white GMC SUV with a rifle and fled. He fired at pursuing officers.
At 10:20 a.m., the suspect collided with a semi-truck 15 miles south of Munds Park, Ariz.
The semi-driver was transported from the scene with minor injuries.
The southbound lanes of I-17 are closed south of Munds Park at milepost 317 and there is no estimated time to reopen the southbound lanes of I-17.
One alternate route from Interstate 40 is State Route 89 south to State Route 69 to reconnect with I-17. Motorists may also travel south on State Route 87 from I-40 to State Route 260 west to reconnect with I-17.
ALT ROUTES: I-17 SB closed 23 miles south of Flagstaff. Alt. route from I-40 EB is SR 89 to SR 69. I-40 WB use SR 87 to SR 260 to I-17. pic.twitter.com/NWwmbnH2h3
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) February 12, 2017
