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Phoenix man dies after fiery crash on Loop 202

The wrong-way crash resulted in a semi-truck catching fire on Loop 202 in Phoenix.

PHOENIX — A wrong-way driver died after hitting at least one vehicle before crashing into a semi-truck Monday morning, according to officials with the Arizona DPS. 

The semi-truck immediately became engulfed in flames. 

Officials with DPS said the driver of an SUV was going westbound in the eastbound lanes of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway near 40th Street when the driver side-swiped a minivan and then continued, eventually crashing into the semi-truck.

The crash caused significant traffic delays.

As of 2:15 p.m., the eastbound lanes near 24th Street had reopened after traffic was shut down for several hours, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. 

Sky12 footage shows the semi had been completely engulfed in flames and several firefighters were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the fire.

The deceased has been identified as 61-year-old Gary Burnside of Phoenix.

Another commercial truck was damaged by debris after driving through the scene, officials said. 

The driver of the minivan, semi-truck and commercial truck were not injured, DPS officials said.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. 

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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 

Find more tips on the department's Driving Safety Homepage on ADOT's website here. 

"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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