4 dead, multiple injured in fiery crash involving tractor-trailers on Arizona highway
PHOENIX — Arizona authorities are investigating a fiery crash that killed four people and left two others in critical condition after multiple vehicles and tractor-trailers collided on Interstate 10 west of Phoenix.
The crash occurred shortly before 1 p.m. local Saturday and shut down Interstate 10 eastbound for more than 16 hours, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The collision happened about 14 miles west of Tonopah, a community on the outskirts of the Phoenix area.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety confirmed Sunday morning that four people were killed in the crash while two people in critical condition were receiving life-saving treatment and six others were taken to hospitals for their injuries. Five of the six people have already been released.
Warren Trent, an Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson, said the department would lead the investigation into the incident. He noted that it would take time to fully reconstruct what happened given the number of people and collisions involved.
Multiple vehicles caught fire after the crash, according to the state Department of Public Safety. A photo shared by the agency showed several vehicles scorched by fire and intact tractor-trailers positioned along the freeway shoulder.
Interstate 10 was closed temporarily in both directions, and the eastbound lanes reopened at 5:19 a.m. local time on Sunday. Drivers heading east toward Phoenix were required to exit the freeway at milepost 81, Salome Road, creating huge backups throughout Saturday.
Arizona Department of Public Safety investigating cause of crash
Trent said there was no evidence that speed or impairment were factors in the collision but that would ultimately be determined during the investigation. But adverse weather might have played a role.
"Troopers are investigating whether blowing dust was a significant factor in the collisions by potentially causing reduced visibility," Trent said.
He urged people driving in conditions where visibility was limited to slow down as it takes longer for a vehicle to come to a complete stop the faster it goes. Trent added that he didn't know how long it took for troopers to respond to the scene, but said there are troopers stationed across the state and the crash's remote location shouldn't have been a factor.
According to Trent, the vehicles involved included six commercial motor vehicles, four passenger vehicles, a van, and a recreational vehicle towing a trailer. Trent said the department was not yet identifying any of the deceased as troopers were still working to notify next of kin.
Investigators worked at the scene late into the night.
"This is just a very tragic situation," Trent said. "Very tragic."