Tragedy struck on the Loop 202 in central Phoenix as one person was killed in a multi-vehicle crash early Sunday morning. The westbound lanes near 44th Street transformed into a scene of flashing lights and emergency responders, following the accident that occurred under unclear circumstances. ABC15 reported that the Arizona Department of Public Safety is still piecing together the details of the crash, and as of now, the identity of the victim remains unknown.

The impact of the incident reverberated beyond the immediate area, causing closures along the westbound lanes of Loop 202 Red Mountain, said officials. The Arizona Department of Transportation, where the road was closed, had motorists searching for alternative routes as the investigation unfolded. It was not immediately clear, according to Department of Public Safety officials speaking to 12 News, if others were injured in the crash.

Authorities closed Loop 202 for several hours following the accident, which came on the heels of another deadly wrong-way crash further east near Recker Road earlier in the day.

The road gradually returned to its regular hum and flow of traffic when the westbound lanes reopened around 9 a.m. The Department of Public Safety had sufficiently surveyed the scene to allow safe passage to commuters once again. This update was confirmed by both ABC15 and 12 News.