NEW RIVER, Ariz. — Multiple college students are dead following a fatal 4-vehicle wrong-way crash on I-17 Monday morning, officials said. The northbound highway has reopened as of 11:26 a.m., according to ADOT.
DPS says the crash was reported around 3:51 a.m. at milepost 236 near Table Mesa Road in New River.
A vehicle driving south in the northbound lanes crashed into other vehicles traveling northwards, said a DPS report.
Grand Canyon University says three of its students died in the I-17 crash.
"It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we share with you that three GCU students passed away this morning after a four-vehicle collision on I-17 reportedly involving a wrong-way driver," the university said in a statement.
GCU identified the deceased as Abriauna Hoffman, 18, Hunter Balberdi, 19, and 18-year-old Magdalyn (Maggie) Ogden. All three were freshmen at the university and lived together in the Diamondback Residence Hall.
Both Hunter and Maggie were pre-med students studying biology. Abriauna was a marketing and advertising major.
Two of the students were pronounced dead at the scene, and the third died later after being taken to a hospital in critical condition.
The single occupant of the wrong-way vehicle, a 25-year-old man from Tempe, was found unconscious and taken to the hospital.
Officials said that the other two vehicles only carried one person each, and both of those drivers' injuries weren't life-threatening.
DPS says the highway's northbound lanes were closed at Table Mesa Road for several hours.
That roadway has since reopened, ADOT confirmed in a tweet at 11:26 a.m.
Officials said that impairment hadn't been ruled out as a factor in the crash.
This is not the first fatal crash on I-17 to take the life of a GCU student.
In 2017, Kelsey and Karli Richardson were killed instantly in a wrong-way crash on I-17 near Greenway Road. Karli was about to earn her diploma from GCU at the time of her death.
DPS says Arizona had at least 24 wrong-way crashes collisions in 2021, seven of which resulted in a fatality.
Deaths on Arizona roads
Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that roadway fatalities have been gradually rising in Arizona over the last decade:
2011: 825 deaths
2012: 821 deaths
2013: 844 deaths
2014: 774 deaths
2015: 895 deaths
2016: 952 deaths
2017: 1,000 deaths
2018: 1,010 deaths
2019: 982 deaths
2020: 1,057 deaths
ADOT offers driving tips on its website to help keep people safe on the road.
"There’s always room for improvement when it comes to road safety," the department said on its website.
ADOT's suggestions include:
Don’t speed or drive aggressively
Never drive while under the influence of substances
Avoid distractions while driving
Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers are doing the same
When an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, move over
Stay extra aware in work zones
Be prepared for weather conditions that make driving dangerous
"Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511, downloading the AZ 511 app and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT," the department said.
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