2 killed, 1 hurt in Chandler head-on crash

CHANDLER, Ariz. - Two people are dead and another person has life-threatening injuries following a head-on crash near a Chandler intersection.

The crash happened just before 10:15 p.m. on Jan. 18 near Hunt Highway and McQueen Road.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded to the scene and found two vehicles that crashed head-on. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene. A third person was rushed to the hospital.

"A black Ram truck operated by 47-year-old Raymond Sampaga, was westbound on Hunt Highway, east of McQueen Road. Raymond crossed left of the centerline and collided head-on with a white Hyundai SUV operated by 33-year-old Taylor Stithem, with 36-year-old Sara Papila, as a front seat passenger," MCSO said in an update on Jan. 20.

The two victims, Taylor and Sara, died. Sampaga has serious injuries and MCSO says "he is not expected to survive."

"Raymond suffered from a medical condition which may have caused a medical event prior to the collision," Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez said.