35-year-old male driver of SUV killed after colliding with tractor-trailer while traveling down I-17 northbound in the wrong direction.

Modified Date: 
Wed, 09/24/2014 - 11:21am
Accident Date: 
Sunday, February 9, 2014

Wrong-way crash on Interstate 17 kills SUV driver.

The northbound lanes of Interstate 17 near Anthem were closed Monday morning after an SUV drove the wrong direction on the freeway and crashed into a produce truck, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The northbound lanes of Interstate 17 near Anthem were closed Monday morning after an SUV drove the wrong direction on the freeway and crashed into a produce truck, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The collision killed the driver of the SUV.

The 35-year-old male driver from Anthem entered the northbound lanes of the freeway and crashed into the semi-truck just before 12 a.m. Monday, according to a DPS spokesman.

Investigators believed the Jeep Cherokee was pushed into the desert from the impact and that the semi-truck caught fire, Graves said. The truck’s driver and passenger were able to jump from the burning vehicle without injury, he said.

The driver of the Cherokee was found dead at the scene, police said.

Investigators do not believe intoxication was a factor, but they are awaiting a medical examiner’s report for more information.

The northbound lanes of I-17 between Daisy Mountain Drive and Anthem Road were closed due to the crash but the Arizona Department of Transportation was expected to open one lane and the northbound New River Road off ramp after 6:30 a.m. Monday. Crews expected to have the road fully reopened by 9 a.m.

Type: Car Accident
People Involved: 
Roadway: 
I-17
City: 
Anthem, AZ

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