TONOPAH, Ariz. — A serious crash in Arizona involving multiple tractor-trailers and vehicles resulted in four fatalities, and two individuals are currently in critical condition. The incident, which created a chaotic scene on the highway, occurred when several large trucks collided with nearby vehicles.
Firefighters labored to extinguish flames consuming several cars as thick smoke billowed across the Arizona highway, signaling to drivers that a catastrophe had unfolded on a Saturday afternoon. Due to the extensive wreckage, sections of the interstate saw prolonged closures, disrupting traffic for hours.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety released a statement indicating that the crash happened near Tonopah, roughly 50 miles from Phoenix. Six additional individuals sustained injuries, with five of them being treated and discharged from local hospitals.
On the accident site, at least two of the tractor-trailers were discovered resting off the highway shoulder, while numerous cars were stopped in their tracks, blanketed in soot and ash from the fiery event.
Investigations are underway to determine if poor visibility, attributed to blowing dust, triggered the initial collision, which may have then caused a sequence of subsequent crashes.
Responding to the critical emergency, over 20 units from three fire departments arrived at the scene around noon. The collision had involved numerous tractor-trailers, vehicles, and an RV, as relayed by Matt Licardi, spokesperson for the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority.
Eight injured individuals were transported to the hospital by ambulance, while one critically injured person required airlifting by helicopter for urgent medical care. The incident has left authorities working diligently to piece together the chain of events that led to this devastating tragedy.
