Wrong-way driver on Interstate 10 leaves 3 dead early Sunday morning
Feb 16, 2020, 8:48 AM | Updated: Feb 17, 2020, 11:39 am
(Arizona Department of Transportation Photo)
(Arizona Department of Transportation Photo)
PHOENIX – A wrong-way collision on Interstate 10 left 3 people dead early Sunday morning.
According to the Department of Public Safety, troopers responded to a call of a wrong-way driver around 3:28 a.m. Shortly after that, a 3-vehicle crash was reported near I-10 and Riggs Road in the eastbound lanes.
The wrong-way driver was a 71-year-old male. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
DPS said they were previously attempting to locate the 71-year-old because of mental illness due to age. Impairment is not believed to be a factor in the crash.
There were four passengers in the second vehicle. Two passengers were pronounced dead on the scene while the driver and the passenger of that vehicle were transported to a local hospital.
Their injuries are unknown.
The driver and passenger of the third vehicle were treated on the scene.
DPS said the in an email that the eastbound lanes of I-10 would be shut down until mid-morning.
*** UPDATE 7:50 a.m. *** Eastbound I-10 laines remain closed at SR 347 for a crash. #Phxtraffic #aztraffic https://t.co/EADt4I1wQx
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) February 16, 2020
The Queen Creek Road on-ramp is closed and eastbound traffic is being diverted off at Queen Creek. The westbound lanes are not affected.
