US 60, a major thoroughfare in Surprise, Arizona, was the scene of a severe traffic incident on Friday morning after two semi-trucks and a car were involved in a collision. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety on X, the accident occurred just before 10:30 a.m. in the eastbound lanes at milepost 138 near 163rd Avenue. One of the semi-trucks, a car hauler, jack-knifed, and a car driver sustained serious injuries, as reported by AZ Family. The crash caused a closure of the eastbound lanes for several hours, not reopening until after 2:30 p.m.
*CLOSURE*
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) February 9, 2024
US 60 (Grand Ave) eastbound is CLOSED in Surprise.
The closure is due to a crash near 163rd Ave.
For real-time info on road closures, check https://t.co/l4s0AFGgA1 and the AZ511 app:
📱 Apple: https://t.co/ZBt7iIzG1F
📱 Android: https://t.co/n3R7tH9Ayf pic.twitter.com/5xiofhrk7H
Just days earlier, a separate incident disrupted traffic on the same highway near Alma School Road. Shortly after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, a tractor-trailer and pickup truck collided with a semi-truck, according to information obtained by ABC 15. The crash resulted in the semi rolling over and spilling construction equipment onto the roadway. While the driver of the semi-truck managed to escape with only minor injuries, as did the driver of the pickup, the left lanes near Extension in Mesa were consequently shut down, but have since been reopened.
The frequency of these accidents draws attention to the potential hazards present on US 60, a key route for both commercial and commuter traffic in the region. The Arizona Department of Public Safety has not yet released the causes for these crashes and the investigations remain ongoing. Stressing the seriousness of the incidents, officials urge drivers to practice caution and remain alert while traveling along this stretch of highway.
The consecutive collisions, while not directly linked, highlight an underlying concern for safety on highways crowded with heavy cargo vehicles. As crews worked to clear the debris and investigate the cause, impacted drivers faced delays and detours, reminding us of the fragile balance between the efficient flow of traffic and the risks that come with it. Those who witnessed the accidents or have relevant information are encouraged to come forward to assist with the DPS investigations.
