The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Vehicle Crimes Unit has identified the deceased victim from a fatal multi-vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning hours of April 5th on Interstate 17 and Thunderbird. The victim is 18-year-old Chelsea Barker of Maricopa.
No other names are being released at this time because detectives are still investigating the crash.
The crash occurred on April 5th shortly after 5:00 a.m. when a Chevrolet Malibu struck the wall in the northbound lanes of Interstate 17 just before Thunderbird. DPS believes there were two women inside the vehicle. Moments later a Mercury sedan struck the Chevrolet in the HOV lane. Investigators believe the force of the impact sent Barker over the wall and into the southbound lanes of Interstate 17 where she was struck numerous times by several vehicles.
DPS detectives would like anyone who may have witnessed the original crash in the northbound lanes of I-17 to contact DPS at 602-223-2212.