1 dead after violent collision involving cement mixer in northern Arizona

PHOENIX — A woman died after a collision involving a cement mixer north of Prescott, authorities announced on Thursday.

The collision between two passenger cars and a cement mixer took place on Wednesday shortly before noon, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities responded to the scene after hearing reports of a serious injury collision near Williamson Valley Road and Pioneer Parkway.

Before the crash, one of the cars was driving in the left northbound lane of Williamson Valley Road at Pioneer Parkway, YCSO said.

However, another car that was also heading northbound was driving in the right lane. The right lane was ending, so the driver merged into the left lane and struck the first vehicle, authorities said.

This collision caused the car that tried to merge to spin into the path of a southbound cement truck mixer.

The driver of the cement mixer tried to avoid the vehicle. However, it couldn’t move away in time. The cement mixer struck a guard rail after impact, while the severely damaged vehicle careened into a dirt shoulder.

There were two people in the car: the driver and his wife, who was sitting in the passenger’s seat. Authorities tried to take both to a hospital, but the woman died on the way over, YCSO said. The driver, however, was flown to HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center in Phoenix in critical condition.

Impairment was not believed to be a factor for the driver of the cement mixer or the car that was in the left lane, authorities said.

“An interview will be attempted, if possible, at a later date with the driver of the overtaking vehicle,” YSCO’s announcement said.