A tragic chain-reaction crash involving 12 vehicles on Interstate 10 near Tonopah, Arizona, resulted in the deaths of four people and left several others injured. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Saturday, with authorities reporting that an initial collision led to multiple secondary crashes.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the crash involved a mix of vehicles, including six commercial trucks, four passenger vehicles, a van, and an RV towing a trailer. The impact caused several of the vehicles to catch fire. On Sunday, DPS confirmed that four people had died, including the driver of a commercial vehicle. Two individuals remain in critical condition, while another was hospitalized with injuries. Five others were treated at the scene and later released.
Authorities are still working to notify the families of those involved and have not yet released the identities of the victims. DPS stated that their primary focus remains on conducting a thorough investigation while providing support to those affected.
Investigators are looking into whether blowing dust contributed to the crash by reducing visibility. Meteorologist Sean Benedict from the National Weather Service in Phoenix shared satellite imagery showing evidence of light dust moving across the highway at the time of the accident. While not as severe as a full dust storm, even shallow dust can significantly reduce visibility for drivers, increasing the risk of accidents.
Officials warn that due to ongoing drought conditions, Arizona is expected to experience an extended dust storm season. DPS urges drivers to take extra precautions in low-visibility situations by slowing down and following the safety guideline: “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.”
Anyone with information regarding the crash is encouraged to contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety at 1-888-4AZTIPS (1-888-429-8477) or submit a tip online at www.azactic.gov.
DPS initially reported six fatalities and 13 injuries, but these figures were later revised in a press conference on Sunday to confirm that four people had died. The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.
