Six total collisions, one person killed after wrong-way driver crash on I-17
Jul 4, 2017, 4:17 PM | Updated: Jul 5, 2017, 8:43 am
A crash caused by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 17 at Black Canyon City had six total collisions and one person was killed, according to the Arizona Department of Safety.
Darroll Wayne Rogers, 76, of Black Canyon City, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of DUI and vehicular homicide.
State troopers received multiple reports of the wrong-way driver midafternoon near Black Canyon City, about 50 miles north of Phoenix.
A motorcycle rider, Cindy Lee Meade, 50, died at the scene.
The freeway going southbound was closed, causing at least a seven-mile backup.
The lanes were reopened a few hours later.
REOPEN: I-17 Southbound has REOPENED at Black Canyon City.
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) July 5, 2017
Wrong-way drivers have claimed at least seven lives on Arizona highways this year.
Metro Phoenix recently had three wrong-way wrecks over the course of about two weeks, two involving fatalities.
In early June, state transportation officials announced a wrong-way detection pilot program that will be installed on I-17 in the fall.
The program will use thermal camera technology to notify wrong-way drivers, surrounding drivers and law enforcement.
Gov. Doug Ducey last month urged state agencies to increase enforcement and awareness of the problem. He also ordered DPS to accelerate and broaden the pilot program.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
