Wrong-way semitruck driver arrested on Valley freeway

PHOENIX — A wrong-way semitruck driver was arrested on a Valley freeway early Friday morning, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Sgt. Kameron Lee said the driver was reported going the wrong way on Interstate 10 at 27th Avenue around 3 a.m.

Lee said the driver self-corrected, and troopers made contact with him on Interstate 17 at 16th Street.

Troopers suspected the driver of being impaired and arrested him, Lee said.

Arizona freeways saw at least six wrong-way drivers last week, leading to renewed calls to find ways to cut down on the incidents.

Another two wrong-way drivers were arrested north of Phoenix earlier this week.

DPS Director Col. Frank Milstead told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Bruce St. James & Pamela Hughes Show last week that society has to become “outraged” over impaired driving before such incidents will stop.

The Arizona Department of Transportation expects to complete an evaluation of an early warning program that uses 90 thermal imaging cameras to detect wrong-way drivers in a few months.

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