Chain reaction crash: 1 dead after car crushed under semi-truck in Phoenix
PHOENIX - A multi-vehicle crash left one person dead on Aug. 28 near 12th Street and Indian School Road.
Officials say the collision involving a semi-truck happened around 12:45 p.m.
"Preliminary information suggests the victim was driving when he collided with a large truck," stated Sgt. Brian Bower of the Phoenix Police Department.
Drivers at the scene say the semi-truck failed to stop on Indian School Road, collided with the man's car, and dragged it under the truck bed. As the car and driver were stuck under the truck, the truck then hit a tow truck, causing a chain reaction of crashes. The tow truck hit another passenger vehicle, which hit another car.
At the scene, a parking lot adjacent to the crash was full of drivers involved, waiting to see what their next steps were. They told FOX 10 that they heard the screeching sound of brakes and vehicles crashing – then looking in their rearview mirror and realizing the commotion was coming straight toward them.
"It was a red light. And for some reason, the truck didn't stop. It kept going.. You can't see no tire breaks, none of that. He just went right over the car. Right now the wheels are on top of the driver. They're not trying to get him out.."
"Honestly, this situation could happen to anyone," said Timmy Lee, who was involved in the crash. "And we could never see it coming. So honestly, like, I can only imagine myself in his shoes, rest his soul. Where you are just going on about your day and all of a sudden, it just all ends."
Phoenix Fire Department crews say when they arrived at the scene, the driver was in critical condition and later died. He was identified as 57-year-old Jimmy Orama.
Authorities say they spoke to the truck driver. That person's name has not been released. No signs of impairment were found.
Roads were shut down in the area during the investigation.