Deadly crash closes US 60 westbound at Loop 101 in Tempe during rush hour
May 14, 2019, 9:18 AM | Updated: 1:47 pm
PHOENIX — A major freeway in the East Valley was closed Tuesday after a fatal multi-vehicle crash occurred during rush hour.
Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the deadly accident occurred on the U.S. 60 westbound at Loop 101 in Tempe around 8:30 a.m.
A 49-year-old man failed to slow down amid traffic congestion, crashing his vehicle into a white Ford pickup truck that moved across traffic lanes, hitting multiple vehicles before slamming into a wall.
The driver of the Ford pickup truck was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Graves said he believes five cars were involved in that crash near the Loop 101 transition ramp. Two other people were taken to the hospital.
Traffic was exiting onto the southbound Loop 101. It fully reopened shortly before 2 p.m.
The investigation was ongoing.
OPEN: US 60 westbound has reopened. The right lane remains blocked as does the L-101 and Dobson Road on-ramps. The McClintock exit ramp is also still closed. #PhxTraffic https://t.co/xCzGG4WSUO
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 14, 2019
A second crash occurred around 8 a.m. on the westbound U.S. 60 east of Mill Avenue.
That crash involving three vehicles resulted in minor injuries. All of the cars involved were moved off left.
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KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Martha Maurer contributed to this report.
