DPS: 3 dead following wrong-way crash on I-10 at Riggs Road
PHOENIX - The Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal crash that caused a portion of Interstate 10 to close.
The crash happened on Interstate 10 near Riggs Road at 3:28 a.m.
DPS says they received a call of a wrong-way driver and shortly after a three-vehicle crash was reported involving the wrong-way driver.
According to troopers, the 71-year-old man driving the wrong way was taken to a hospital where he later died. Two passengers in the vehicle hit by the wrong-way driver were confirmed dead on the scene, and the driver and another passenger were taken to a hospital with unknown injuries. The driver and passenger of the third vehicle were treated on the scene.
DPS identified the driver as Cornel Eugine Ard, 71, and the passengers as Eva Michelle Sanchez, 49, and Jacob Adam Morales, 27.
"This same driver was a previous Attempt to Locate (ATL) because of mental illness due to age," said Trooper Martin Sotelo. "Impairment is not believed to be a factor."
The Arizona Department of Transportation says the eastbound lanes of I-10 at Riggs Road have reopened following the closure.
The investigation is ongoing.