One woman killed, 3 people seriously injured, transported to hospital, Alberto Lopez-Ruelas, arrested for striking one of the victims, after a two-car crash on I-17 near Phoenix.

Modified Date: 
Wed, 09/24/2014 - 11:29am
Accident Date: 
Saturday, April 5, 2014

1 driver charged in deadly car wreck on I-17.

A man who allegedly hit a good Samaritan at the scene of a deadly crash on a Phoenix interstate has been booked on a felony hit-and-run charge.

A man who allegedly hit a good Samaritan at the scene of a deadly crash on a Phoenix interstate has been booked on a felony hit-and-run charge.

He's identified as Alberto Lopez-Ruelas.

A woman who was ejected from a car on a Phoenix interstate and then hit by multiple vehicles was killed. Three other people were hurt.

DPS stated that they received a call at 5:21 a.m. about a vehicle that was blocking the high-occupancy vehicle lane in the northbound lanes of Interstate 17 at Thunderbird.

Police said the driver of that vehicle, a white Chevy Malibu, lost control before slamming into the median. The passenger in that vehicle was thrown into the southbound lanes when a second vehicle, a maroon Mercury Cougar, hit the disabled Malibu. She was hit several times by other drivers and died on the scene.

According to Graves, it appears the driver of the Malibu was impaired and is facing manslaughter charges when she is released from John C. Lincoln North Valley, where she is being treated for injuries from the crash.

A good Samaritan saw this unfold and pulled over to help. He got out of his car to render aid and as he crossed the road he was hit by a black SUV driven by Lopez-Ruelas.

The driver of that vehicle then fled the scene but returned a few minutes later where members of the public held him until police arrived. The good Samaritan had surgery this afternoon for a pelvic fracture.

Police said one other passerby stopped to help after the initial crash. Officers are now trying to find that person as the investigation continues.

No other names have been released.

People Involved: 
Alberto Lopez-Ruelas
Roadway: 
I-17

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