PHOENIX — Two people have died and one is in the hospital after a wrong-way crash on Interstate 17 in Phoenix Thursday morning.
The crash happened around 2 a.m. in the northbound lanes near Adams Street.
According to the Department of Public safety, a woman was driving in the wrong lane and struck another passenger vehicle. The wrong-way driver was killed in the crash.
DPS said that the two people in the second vehicle, a man and a woman, were seriously injured. One of them later died, though DPS did not disclose which one.
The identities of the deceased haven't been released.
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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.
