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DPS: Trooper evades SR-51 wrong-way driver in North Phoenix

DPS: Trooper evades SR-51 wrong-way driver in North Phoenix
Posted at 12:44 PM, Mar 15, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-16 12:56:13-04

An Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper was forced to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision with a wrong-way driver on SR-51. 

DPS reports that on March 10 about 4:15 a.m., a driver identified as 32-year-old Michael Daniel Murrell, was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of SR-51 near Northern Avenue. 

They say one DPS trooper had to take evasive action to avoid being struck head-on by Murrell. 

He allegedly drove the wrong way on the highway for about six miles, before stopping in the HOV lane. 

DPS says Murrell had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, slurred speech and had urinated on himself. 

He's been charged with DUI and endangerment.