Authorities release name of man killed in crash on I-10 near Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

PHOENIX – A deadly crash on Interstate 10 near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport created significant delays during morning rush hour on Thursday, Feb. 26.

The crash occurred on eastbound I-10 near Jefferson Street, west of the airport, just before 5 a.m. One person was killed in the collision, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

On March 5, DPS reported that 48-year-old Francisco Valenzuela Ruiz of Mesa was the person who died in the collision.

Traffic was forced to exit at Washington Street for the investigation and cleanup, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The freeway reopened around 6:45 a.m., but ADOT said to expect heavy delays in the area.

When the closure was lifted, eastbound I-10 traffic was backed up through the downtown Phoenix area toward I-17. Southbound State Route 51 was also experiencing heavy slowing approaching the “Mini-Stack” interchange.

This is an updated version of a story originally published on Feb. 26, 2026.

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