Arizona: Dust Storm Causes Crash, Pileup on I-10; Several Dead

At least three people were killed in a massive accident and pileup on Interstate 10 near Picacho Peak, Arizona, during a dust storm. At least 10 vehicles, including big rig trucks, were involved.
Arizona: Dust Storm Causes Crash, Pileup on I-10; Several Dead
(Screenshot/ABC-15)
Jack Phillips
10/29/2013
Updated:
7/18/2015

At least three people were killed in a massive accident and pile-up on Interstate 10 near Picacho Peak, Arizona, during a dust storm. At least 19 vehicles, including big rig trucks, motor homes, and a Toyota Prius, were involved.

High winds and dust were likely contributing factors in the crash.

ABC-15 reported that there were several serious injury collisions on the westbound portion of I-10.

Interstate 10 westbound was shut down due to the crash.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Raul Garcia told KPHO that several commercial vehicles were involved in the pile-up. He added there were several serious injury collisions.

Motorists are urged to avoid the area, officials said.

Helicopter footage showed large clouds of dust sweeping over the highway.

“It’s very different than what we think of during the monsoon. In this case, a steady southwest wind created channels of dense, blowing dust. Unfortunately, one of those localized channels of dust ended up over a busy Arizona interstate,” Chief Meteorologist Chris Dunn told KPHO.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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