Man arrested after driving water truck erratically and avoiding traffic stop on Valley freeways

PHOENIX — A man was arrested after allegedly driving a water truck “all over the road” and fleeing an attempted traffic stop across Valley highways on Friday, authorities said.

Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers were alerted to the erratic driving around 1 p.m. when the water truck was near the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway’s Dobson Road exit in Mesa.

After confirming the behavior, a traffic stop was attempted but the driver kept going, DPS said.

The truck eventually became disabled as it approached the Loop 303 while traveling west on Interstate 10, triggering a short-lived stoppage of traffic by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Westbound I-10 at SR 303: Traffic is stopped due to a law enforcement situation. pic.twitter.com/FiBrScikgd

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) July 4, 2025

Once the truck stopped, its driver was booked into Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office custody on charges of DUI and unlawful flight.

DPS is investigating whether the driver, identified as 29-year-old Juan Magdaleno, had permission to use the truck.

No other information was immediately available.

Get the latest KTAR News 92.3 FM traffic alerts sent straight to your phone by texting “TRAFFIC” to 620620.

Related

KTAR Traffic Center: Map, alerts, latest newsWestbound Interstate 10 reopens near Buckeye after crashADOT starts improvements at I-10/Jackrabbit Trail interchange in West ValleyUS 60/Grand Avenue reopens in Glendale following crash involving motorcycleRoadwork closes sections of westbound Loop 101, Loop 202 all weekendWestbound Loop 202 Santan Freeway back open after crash