5 Dead and Freeway Closed for 11 hours: Distraction Driving to Blame

Five people died in a tragic accident on the eastbound side of the I-10, near Chandler Boulevard in Arizona, as a result of a chain-reaction crash involving two semi-trucks and four cars that led to a large fire, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). The crash occurred early on January 12th Thursday morning at around 6:15 a.m. and caused the freeway to be partly closed for about 11 hours.

According to DPS, the driver of a semi hauling garbage didn’t slow down and collided with two passenger cars, pushing them into another semi-truck and two other cars. The cars that were crushed between the semi-trucks caught fire and resulted in the death of five people. DPS is investigating distraction as a possible cause of the crash and believes that speed was also a factor. The driver of the at-fault truck suffered minor injuries.

This crash was the third wreck involving a semi in less than six hours on I-10. Two separate crashes had shut down the eastbound side of the freeway a few miles away at Queen Creek Road. In the first, a tractor-trailer caught fire near Riggs Road when another semi-truck driver with a car-hauler crashed into three other semi-trucks. No one was seriously injured in those other crashes, but extensive traffic backups began just in time for the morning commute. DPS troopers say a large amount of diesel was spilled onto the road mixed in with the debris from all four semis. At this time, it appears that this latest crash was a result of those earlier incidents.

This tragic accident highlights the importance of safety on the roads and the need for drivers to be alert, cautious and obey traffic laws. It also serves as a reminder for all drivers to be aware of their surroundings and to be prepared for unexpected situations on the road. The families of the victims are in our thoughts and condolences during this difficult time. If you been involved and severely in injured in an auto accident please contact the law office AZ Hometown Lawyers at (602) 495-1005.

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