WICKENBURG, Ariz. — Two people are dead and five others, including an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper, were injured after a four-vehicle crash near Wickenburg Friday evening.
The trooper was responding to a call from an SUV driver on southbound US 93 before the crash, DPS said. The SUV driver, who was driving with two other passengers, told the trooper that he was worried about having enough fuel to make it to Wickenburg.
The trooper told those in the SUV that they should have enough fuel and agreed to follow the SUV until they reached Wickenburg, the department said.
While the escort was taking place, another car was speeding northbound on US 93 and passing vehicles in a no-passing lane, DPS said. That vehicle made contact with the SUV and the trooper's vehicle, causing the SUV to overturn and the trooper's vehicle to burst into flames.
A fourth vehicle was also hit during the collision, but authorities are unsure which of the other vehicles cause the damage.
The passengers of the fourth vehicle pulled the trooper out of the burning patrol vehicle, where the trooper was trapped, DPS said. The patrol vehicle became fully engulfed by fire after the trooper was extracted.
One occupant of the speeding vehicle was declared dead at the scene. Two other occupants were transported to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
One occupant of the SUV was declared dead at the scene. Two other occupants were transported to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
The DPS trooper was transported to a nearby hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The occupants of the fourth vehicle were treated at the scene.
DPS has not yet released the identifying information of those who died or were injured. It is unknown whether impairment was a factor in the crash.
This is a developing story. Tune into 12 News for the latest information.
