4 dead after wrong-way accident on Interstate 10 in western Arizona

PHOENIX — Four people were killed early Wednesday in a wrong-way accident on the Interstate 10 in western Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said a Nissan pickup truck collided head-on with a Ford 15-passenger van near Centennial in La Paz County around 1 a.m.

The wrong-way driver was reported shortly before driving eastbound in the westbound lanes of the highway. It was not immediately clear which vehicle was the wrong-way car.

Both vehicles burst into flames upon impact. The driver of the Nissan and all three people in the Ford were pronounced dead on the scene.

There was no roadway evidence to indicate breaking by either car before the crash. Authorities found an alcoholic beverage container in the debris field.

The westbound lanes of the freeway were closed after the crash. It reopened shortly before 7 a.m.

Centennial is about 80 miles west of Phoenix.

To recap: A serious crash has closed westbound I-10 at milepost 68 (near Centennial). All traffic must leave the freeway at Exit 81 (Salome Highway). FYI: There's already a growing backup in the area. #aztraffic pic.twitter.com/pFYIFxVs26

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) March 27, 2019

UPDATE: I-10 westbound has reopened at milepost 68 near Centennial. The closure was due to a serious crash. #aztraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) March 27, 2019

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