Four people are dead and two others are in critical condition following a chain-reaction crash involving 12 vehicles on an Arizona highway on Saturday afternoon, which authorities believe may have been caused by blowing dust.
The incident occurred on Interstate 10, more than 50 miles west of Phoenix, and involved six commercial motor vehicles, four passenger vehicles, a van, and a recreational vehicle towing a trailer, as reported by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
According to investigators with the Arizona Highway Patrol, the crash began with an initial collision, which was followed by several others, resulting in multiple vehicles catching fire.
As of Sunday, the Department of Public Safety reported that two individuals remained in critical condition, while one person was receiving precautionary care at a hospital. Five other individuals were treated and subsequently discharged. The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
On the day of the crash, a large section of southern Arizona was under wind and blowing dust advisories; however, the specific area where the crash occurred was not under such an advisory, as noted by Mark O’Malley, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
Wind speeds in the vicinity of the crash were recorded at approximately 20 to 25 miles per hour, with otherwise clear conditions. Nevertheless, investigators are examining whether reduced visibility due to blowing dust played a “significant factor” in the incident.
Both eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 10 were closed for several hours into Sunday morning, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Traffic was rerouted near the home of a local resident, Dave Dyrcz, who mentioned that I-10 is known for severe wind conditions, which may have contributed to dust on the roadway. He also noted that the interstate is in poor condition, with a reduced speed limit due to potholes and road damage.
The Department of Public Safety stated that the investigation into the crash would be “extensive and detailed” and may take some time to complete.