TONOPAH, Ariz. — One person is dead and three others are in the hospital after a semi-truck crash early Thursday morning, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said.
The crash, which happened east of Tonopah, forced the closure of eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 between Wintersburg Road and 339th Avenue, troopers said.
According to DPS, the driver of a semi-truck lost control after a tire failed around 3 a.m. near milepost 90 on I-10. During the crash, the semi reportedly rolled over on top of a van carrying four people.
The driver and co-driver of the semi were extricated and sustained minor injuries. Four people in the van were also extricated, officials said. A 24-year-old man was dead on scene and the three other people in the van were taken to a Goodyear hospital.
This is a developing story. Tune in to 12News for the latest information.
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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.