5 killed in Peoria wreck; investigators suspect impairment

PHOENIX – Five people died after a collision Sunday night in Peoria, authorities said.

The crash occurred around 9 p.m. on 107th Avenue between Deer Valley Road and Rose Garden Lane, the Peoria Police Department said in a press release Monday.

A Mazda van carrying two adults and four children was turning left from Lone Cactus Drive onto 107th Avenue when it was hit by a Jeep, police said.

Investigators believe impairment and speed on the part of Jeep driver were factors.

The van’s driver, 36-year-old Elizabeth Simpson of Glendale, and front-seat passenger, 31-year-old Jace Hochstetler of Phoenix, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The four children were taken to a hospital, and three of them did not survive their injuries. The other child suffered minor injuries.

All of the van occupants were wearing seatbelts, police said.

The Jeep driver, who was traveling alone, was hospitalized with minor injuries. He was identified later as Bjorn Hartzell.

Both directions of 107th Avenue were closed between Deer Valley Road and Rose Garden Lane overnight while the scene was under investigation. The roadway didn’t reopen until early afternoon Monday.

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