Arizona Department of Public Safety (ADPS) troopers are investigating at least five weather related collisions. One of those collisions claimed two lives. A total of six patients have been transported to Flagstaff Medical Center.
The collisions began at approximately 9:47 a.m. westbound along I-40 at milepost 128, which is approximately 15 miles west of Ash Fork.
The photograph (above) depicts the first roll-over collision that occurred due to a hail and rain mixture covering the roadway. Two people rushed to the aid of the victims from that roll-over and were struck by a pickup truck pulling a large trailer, which instantly caused their deaths.
The weather and these two collisions led to at least three additional collisions which injured a total of six people. The patients were all transported to Flagstaff Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries.
“The multiple vehicle – multiple injury and fatal incident was a result of rapid changes in weather along with high rates of speed. Drivers need to be extremely aware of rapidly changing weather conditions particularly this time of year,” said ADPS Captain George Manera.
State troopers concluded their investigation at approximately 7:00 p.m. and reopened the roadway. During the closure, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) assisted with routing traffic onto Crookton Hill Road.