PHOENIX — Monday morning rush-hour traffic was impacted by a deadly crash involving a semi-truck west of downtown Phoenix.
The crash occurred around 6:15 a.m. at the I-10, I-17 Stack. Arizona Department of Transportation says the crash blocked the transition ramp from I-17 southbound to I-10 westbound for several hours.
Video from the scene showed a semi-truck with extensive damage to its cab. The truck was also jackknifed, blocking the entire exit ramp with its trailer and crash debris.
Arizona Department of Public Safety officials say the driver of the truck died from injuries sustained in the crash.
“At first I was like why is there so much traffic, because I couldn’t see it,” said Cheyenne Everett. “Then I happened to look over and I [saw] it and I was like oh my God.”
Everett was on her way to work in Anthem. One of the ramps on the stack is part of her daily route, so she ended up aerial view of the semi crash.
“You could just see that the truck was just slanted sideways and the whole front end of the semi was just completely demolished,” said Everett.
She said she also saw paramedics trying to give someone CPR.
“We arrived on scene and found that bystanders were attending to him trying to give medical care,” said DPS spokesperson, Bart Graves. “At this point, we are conducting an investigation to see if a medical episode may have occurred with this driver to lose control."
ADOT confirmed the truck hit an overpass support pillar during the collision.
"As with any crash that involves a part of the infrastructure being possibly damaged, our crews will assess the situation and make sure the road is safe before allowing it to be open for traffic," ADOT said in a statement.
The cause of the crash is not yet known.
ADOT said the roadway reopened after 11 a.m.
