Interstate 17 north of Phoenix reopened after fatal accident

PHOENIX — One person was killed Friday in an accident involving five vehicles, including a tractor-trailer, and shutting down northbound Interstate 17 past Phoenix.

Two others were injured in the wreck that stopped traffic near the Sunset Point rest area, about 55 miles from Phoenix. A pickup truck, a box truck and two cars also were involved in the collision, authorities said.

Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Quentin Mehr said the preliminary investigation pointed to the tractor-trailer and trucks colliding about 9:30 a.m.

A hazmat unit was working the crash site because fuel from the big truck had leaked onto the road, Mehr said.

The highway was completely reopened around 2 p.m., the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

UPDATE: All lanes are now open. Traffic remains extremely backed up and will likely remain that way through the afternoon due to heavier weekend travel. https://t.co/v6UjvfVIeH

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) July 27, 2018

However, the backup was about 15 miles long and continued to grow.

Southbound lanes were not affected.

Drivers could travel through Payson on state routes 87 and 260 to avoid the crash.

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