Driver Caught on Camera Moments Before Fatal Wrong Way Crash

INCIDENT DATE/TIME: 11-07–2024 | 2:00 AM
LOCATION: Northbound I-17 near Grant Street
AREA/CITY: Phoenix
DETAILS:

According to AZ DPS Sgt. Jacob Melki:

DPS troopers responded to reports of a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-17 near Thomas Road shortly before 2:00 AM.

The Phoenix Police helicopter spotted the vehicle as it passed McDowell Road and identified the wrong-way vehicle as a dark colored Toyota Prius.

(the Prius was southbound in the northbound passing the northbound I-17 on-ramp at Adams Street when the passing shot was filmed.)

Troopers located the vehicle and paralleled the wrong-way vehicle from the southbound side of I-17.

The vehicle collided head-on with a Toyota Corolla near Grant Street at 2:00 AM.

Troopers arrived and found an adult female driver unconscious inside the wrong-way vehicle and found 2 trapped occupants inside the Corolla.

A small fire started in the engine bay of the Prius as troopers were assessing the involved parties.

Troopers used fire extinguishers to put out while additional troopers extricated all occupants from their vehicles.

Troopers immediately began administering CPR to the female driver from the wrong-way vehicle.

Additional troopers rendered aid to the 2 occupants from the Corolla.

Phoenix Fire crews arrived on scene and transported all 3 patients to a local trauma center, all in extremely critical condition.

The adult female wrong-way driver has since been pronounced deceased.

The unidentified occupants from the Corolla remain in critical condition at this time.

The collision resulted in a hard closure for northbound I-17.

All northbound traffic is being diverted off the mainline at Grant Street.

Troopers are actively investigating the crash.

Troopers are aiming to clear the roadway and restore traffic flow by 5:00 AM.

HANDLING AGENCIES: AZ DPS

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