Storm damage, fatal wreck shut down section of highway near Grand Canyon

PHOENIX — Storm damage from Tropical Depression Rosa created a sinkhole on a north-central Arizona highway that led to a fatal accident, combining to close the road early Thursday.

One person died in the multivehicle wreck on U.S. 89, where the Arizona Department of Transportation said heavy rains caused a section to collapse halfway between Flagstaff and Page around midnight.

Northbound lanes were closed at Cameron near milepost 467 and southbound lanes were closed at U.S. 160 near milepost 481 because of buckling that stretched about 15 feet across the road.

The Navajo Nation declared a state of emergency for the Western Agency and surrounding areas due to the closure.

It was expected to remain closed for multiple days, the department said.

New photos from this morning as ADOT crews work as quickly as possible to reopen a section of US 89 north of Flagstaff that was washed away by flood waters. Closure still expected for multiple days, with a detour on I-40, SR 87, SR 264, US 160. More: https://t.co/WD6fNyDslk pic.twitter.com/Xy8yey7dbA

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) October 5, 2018

Authorities said 26-year-old Amelie Fortune from France was killed after she was hit by a truck while she stood in the road.

Her car had just crossed the asphalt as it folded. A 40-year man from Lakeside, Arizona, came up from behind and lost control of his truck as it neared the sinkhole and hit the woman.

Fortune died at the scene, while her two passengers were treated and released from a nearby hospital.

The driver of the truck and his passenger were treated at the scene.

Cameron is about 50 miles north of Flagstaff.

Drivers now face a 125-mile alternate route, the department said.

Drivers heading to Page, Tuba City and other destinations north of Cameron can also take Interstate 40 east from Flagstaff to State Route 87 at Winslow, then head north to State Route 264, northwest to US 160 in Tuba City and west to US 89.

“Unfortunately … it’s really going to be a lengthy detour,” ADOT spokesman Garin Groff said. Rereouting will add a few extra hours to every trip.

US 89 closure: Because of storm damage, the highway is closed between Cameron and US 160. The alternate route will add about 190 miles via I-40, SR 87, SR 264 and US 160. Expect an extended closure to repair the road. #aztraffic pic.twitter.com/IgggjEl3WK

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) October 4, 2018

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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