A devastating collision has claimed the lives of two men and left a woman in a critical condition following a head-on crash in west Phoenix. The incident occurred just before midday on July 10 near the intersection of 59th Avenue and McDowell Road. FOX 10 Phoenix reports that a red car, which was heading westbound, veered into the opposite lane and collided with an oncoming taxi cab.
The driver of the red car, 37-year-old Eric Allen, and the taxi cab driver, 51-year-old Indalecio Lara, were both transported to a hospital where they succumbed to their injuries, as confirmed by Phoenix Police. A female passenger from the red car remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, fighting to thus far survive, as azfamily.com states. The names of the deceased were released following the tragic event.
Authorities closed McDowell Road for several hours as they investigated the scene, where the wreckage and debris evidenced the force of impact. The road was reopened around 3 p.m. "Preliminary information suggests the red vehicle was heading westbound on McDowell Road, while approaching 57th Avenue, when the vehicle went into oncoming traffic and collided with the black vehicle, which was heading eastbound on McDowell Road from 57th Avenue," according to a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.
While the circumstances leading to the crash continue to be under investigation, it is not yet clear if speed or impairment were contributing factors. Phoenix Police Sgt. Phil Krynsky indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with details yet to be fully disclosed, according to a press statement quoted by azfamily.com.
