Part of Loop 202 in Mesa closed after driver causes multiple accidents
Jun 5, 2019, 3:23 PM | Updated: Jun 18, 2019, 11:58 am
(Arizona Department of Transportation Traffic Camera)
(Arizona Department of Transportation Traffic Camera)
PHOENIX — A portion of the eastbound Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway in Mesa was closed temporarily Wednesday afternoon after a reckless, speeding and possibly intoxicated driver caused multiple accidents, authorities said.
A gold van hit four vehicles between McClintock Drive and Gilbert Road, Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Raul Garcia said in an email to KTAR News 92.3 FM.
The suspect, a woman in her 30s, is under investigation for DUI and leaving the scene of an accident, Garcia said.
After the first collision, a trooper clocked the van’s speed at 106 mph. During the pursuit, the suspect hit three more vehicles.
Minor injuries, including to the suspect, were reported, Garcia said.
The highway was closed from Gilbert Road to McDowell Road at around 3 p.m., the Arizona Department of Transportation said, and reopened about an hour later.
UPDATE: All lanes now open on L-202 EB at Gilbert Road. There is still a heavy backup to Dobson. Drivers should still consider alternate routes, such as L-101 and US 60 while traffic begins to flow normally again. pic.twitter.com/kGIgWNhlCP
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 5, 2019
Westbound traffic was not affected.
On Wednesday morning, westbound Loop 202 was closed at 32nd Street for about two hours because of a carjacking incident.
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