A woman was hit and killed Wednesday night after storms washed away part of US 89 in northern Arizona. The roadway is closed midway between Flagstaff and Page, Arizona, and is expected to be closed for "several days," according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The northbound lanes are closed at Cameron, or milepost 467, and the southbound lanes are closed at US 160, or milepost 481, ADOT said Thursday morning.
ADOT said alternative options include Interstate 40, State Route 87, State Route 264 or US 160, which will add an estimated 190 miles to drivers' trips.
US 89 closure: Because of storm damage, the highway is closed between Cameron and US 160. The alternate route will add about 190 miles via I-40, SR 87, SR 264 and US 160. Expect an extended closure to repair the road. #aztraffic pic.twitter.com/IgggjEl3WK
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) October 4, 2018
The Arizona Department of Transportation said in a tweet that it was also investigating a deadly crash on that stretch of roadway.
TRAFFIC ALERT:
US 89 is closed due a fatal collision and road damage caused by extreme heavy rains. Southbound lanes are closed at the junction of US 89/SR 160. Northbound lanes are closed at Cameron. This will be an extended closure. pic.twitter.com/XBZQJuBdCf— Dept. Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) October 4, 2018
In an update Thursday afternoon, DPS said troopers responded to milepost 471.1 the night before to investigate a crash involving two vehicles.
Citing preliminary information, DPS said a 26-year-old woman from France was driving northbound on US 89 when the roadway began to collapse. Her vehicle "sustained major damage," DPS said.
DPS said the woman got out of her vehicle and was hit by the driver of a Toyota pickup who was also traveling northbound and lost control of his truck when he crossed over the damaged roadway.
The French woman died at the scene, said DPS. Two passengers who were in the French woman's vehicle were transported to the hospital, treated for their injuries, and released.
The driver of the Toyota, a 40-year-old male from Lakeside, Arizona, was treated at the scene.
DPS said it is looking into the possibility that weather was a contributing factor in the crash.
