ARIZONA NEWS

Wrong-way driver in fatal Phoenix freeway wreck allegedly was highly intoxicated

May 23, 2023, 12:53 PM | Updated: May 24, 2023, 7:37 am

Booking photo of Allen Johnson, suspect in fatal wrong-way wreck on Phoenix, Arizona, freeway...

Allen Michael Johnson (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and Arizona Department of Transportation Photos)

(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and Arizona Department of Transportation Photos)

PHOENIX — The driver accused of causing a fatal wrong-way crash on a Phoenix freeway over the weekend reportedly was highly intoxicated, according to court records.

Hospital testing showed Allen Michael Johnson had a blood alcohol content of .327%, more than four times the legal limit of .08%, according to the probable cause statement for his arrest.

Johnson, 34, was booked into jail on one count of second-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault after he was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon at the Chandler Regional Medical Center.

Bail for the Eloy resident was set at $1 million.

“He admitted to drinking, admitted to knowing he was going [the] wrong way and stated he didn’t feel impaired by the alcohol,” said the probable cause statement, which is submitted to court by the arresting officer.

Johnson allegedly was driving a car with his girlfriend and her two children west in the eastbound lanes of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway when it collided with an SUV near 32nd Street around 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

A 10-year-old child in the rear seat was killed, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said. A woman in the passenger seat and a 5-year-old child in the back seat suffered serious injuries.

The SUV driver suffered severe injuries, including head trauma, and had no recollection of the collision.

DPS said five vehicles were involved in the wreck. Fire department responders had to use the “jaws of life” to extract one person.

Eastbound Loop 202 was closed at 24th Street for about five hours after the crash, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article said the child who died was 12 years old, based on what was in the probable cause statement. DPS later confirmed that the child was 10.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Facebook File Photo/Glendale Police Department - Arizona)...

KTAR.com

Elderly woman kills husband in Glendale amid domestic dispute

Police in Glendale are investigating a murder of an elderly man who was reportedly shot by his wife on Saturday.

20 hours ago

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS...

Associated Press

Biden, GOP reach tentative deal to raise debt ceiling, avoid calamitous US default

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an “agreement in principle” late Saturday as they raced to strike a deal to limit federal spending and resolve the looming debt crisis, the House speaker said.

20 hours ago

(ADOT Twitter photo)...

KTAR.com

I-17 southbound at Dunlap Road reopens in Phoenix after crash

Arizona Department of Transportation announced Saturday night that the I-17 southbound at Dunlap Road in Phoenix has reopened after a crash..

20 hours ago

(Pexels Photo)...

Associated Press

Mother pleads guilty after Arizona boy starves to death

An Arizona mother has pleaded guilty to murder and child abuse charges stemming from the death of her 6-year-old son who had been locked in a closet and denied food.

20 hours ago

(Facebook Photo)...

KTAR.com

Police in Mesa investigating 4 shootings that killed 3 men, injured 1 woman

Police in Mesa are investigating the deaths of three men and one injured woman discovered Friday night involved in four separate shootings.

20 hours ago

Kari Lake, Arizona Republican candidate for governor, speaks to supporters at the Republican watch ...

KTAR.com

Judge denies Maricopa County’s request for sanctions against Kari Lake

A judge on Friday ruled not to award sanctions sought by attorneys for Maricopa County against Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.

20 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Here are the biggest tips to keep your AC bill low this summer

PHOENIX — In Arizona during the summer, having a working air conditioning unit is not just a pleasure, but a necessity. No one wants to walk from their sweltering car just to continue to be hot in their home. As the triple digits hit around the Valley and are here to stay, your AC bill […]

...

re:vitalize

Why drug-free weight loss still matters

Wanting to lose weight is a common goal for many people as they progress throughout life, but choosing between a holistic approach or to take medicine can be a tough decision.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Company looking for oldest air conditioner and wants to reward homeowner with new one

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.

Wrong-way driver in fatal Phoenix freeway wreck allegedly was highly intoxicated