A grisly scene unfolded on Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway near 40th Street when a semi-truck collided with a passenger car resulting in at least one fatality, ABC15 reports. The accident occurred around 10:30 a.m. Monday, sending plumes of black smoke into the air as flames engulfed the crash site.
Traffic came to a halt in the eastbound lanes due to the crash, with the Arizona Department of Public Safety confirming that an investigation was in progress. According to ADOT, the freeway was closed at 24th Street with no set time for reopening, disrupting commuters and causing significant backup across the region. Vehicles have been rerouted as authorities work the scene, FOX 10 Phoenix noted.
The cause of the tragic accident is still under investigation by state officials. There has been no word on any additional injuries sustained during the incident as emergency services and law enforcement continue their meticulous work to determine what led to this deadly encounter.
Local travelers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes as cleanup and investigative efforts are expected to extend well into the day. The identity of the victim, or victims, involved in this deadly crash has not yet been released, as the affected families are being notified.
