A suspected wrong-way driver turned the Friday evening commute into a nightmare on Interstate 10 near Ray Road in Chandler, leaving at least one person in critical condition, injuring several others and grinding eastbound traffic to a standstill across the southeast Valley. The multi-vehicle crash hit around 6:30 p.m., according to emergency crews. Westbound lanes stayed open, but that was little comfort to drivers stuck in a sea of brake lights as investigators swarmed the scene.
Officials Say Impairment on Wrong-Way Driver Is Suspected
The Department of Public Safety told ABC15 that callers reported a vehicle barreling westbound in the eastbound lanes shortly before the collision. Troopers said impairment is suspected and that investigators are working to sort out the sequence of events and determine whether any charges will follow.
Injuries, Rush-Hour Timeline and Detours
When troopers and firefighters arrived, they found multiple vehicles tangled in the wreckage and rushed several people to nearby hospitals, with at least one person listed in critical condition, according to Arizona's Family. Eastbound traffic was diverted off the freeway, triggering heavy backups as drivers were urged to get off I-10 at or before Warner Road and use alternate routes.
Why Wrong-Way Crashes Keep Hitting This Stretch
Transportation officials have long flagged the I-10 and Ray Road ramps as a hot spot for wrong-way entries. The Arizona Department of Transportation included the Ray Road off-ramp in a wrong-way detection pilot, as outlined in the state's report. The Arizona Department of Public Safety has also rolled out its Arrive Alive Arizona safety campaign, pairing public education with high-visibility enforcement in an effort to cut down on impaired and reckless driving statewide.
Investigation Continues as Delays Drag On
Officials have not released information about the suspected wrong-way driver or whether charges are expected, and investigators say the case remains active, according to ABC15. Eastbound lanes of I-10 remain closed while troopers clear the crash scene, and drivers have been warned to brace for extended delays into the evening.
