A chain-reaction crash involving 12 vehicles on an Arizona highway resulted in four deaths and left two individuals in critical condition. The incident occurred on Interstate 10, over 50 miles west of Phoenix, potentially due to blowing dust. The crash involved six commercial vehicles, four passenger cars, a van, and an RV. Investigators believe an initial collision led to subsequent crashes, with several vehicles igniting. Although wind advisories were in effect in southern Arizona, the crash site lacked a blowing dust alert. The investigation will be thorough and may take time to determine the exact cause.
Four individuals have lost their lives, with two more in critical condition following a multi-vehicle pile-up involving 12 cars on an Arizona highway Saturday afternoon, potentially triggered by gusty winds carrying dust, according to authorities.
The incident occurred on Interstate 10, situated over 50 miles west of Phoenix, and included six commercial vehicles, four passenger cars, a van, and a recreation vehicle hauling a trailer, as reported by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Investigators from the Arizona Highway Patrol suspect that an initial collision led to a series of subsequent accidents, with several vehicles igniting into flames.
As of Sunday, the Department of Public Safety confirmed that two individuals remained in critical condition, while one person was under precautionary care at a medical facility. Five additional individuals were treated and released. The identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed.
On Saturday, a significant portion of southern Arizona, a desert area, was under advisories for wind and blowing dust; however, the specific location of the accident did not have a blowing dust warning, noted Mark O’Malley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
At the time, wind speeds in the vicinity of the crash were approximately 20 to 25 miles per hour, and visibility was otherwise clear.
Nonetheless, investigators are examining whether diminished visibility due to blowing dust played a “substantial role” in the incident, the department stated.
Much of the traffic was redirected just outside the residence of Dave Dyrcz, a local from Tonopah, Arizona, located about 14 miles from the crash site.
He remarked that I-10 is “notorious for severe winds,” which might have caused some dust to drift across the roadway. However, he also pointed out that the interstate is “in very poor condition,” leading to a reduced speed limit due to the road’s state and the presence of potholes.
The Department of Public Safety indicated that the investigation would be “thorough and comprehensive” and may require time.