PHOENIX — Two people are dead and two others are hospitalized after separate crashes in west Phoenix Friday night.
One crash at 83rd Avenue and Thomas Road involved multiple vehicles, one of which caught on fire. One person was pronounced dead on scene. Another was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The victim has since been identified as 21-year-old Jesus Martinez-Goana.
Police say that Martinez-Goana was driving westbound on Thomas Road at a high rate of speed and hit the other vehicle that was heading eastbound and attempting to make a left turn at 83rd Avenue.
Martinez-Goana's vehicle proceeded to hit a tree and catch fire.
The second multi-vehicle crash happened near 51st Avenue and Van Buren Street. Police say four vehicles were involved, and two drivers were found suffering from serious injuries. They were both taken to the hospital for treatment.
One of the drivers, 27-year-old Daniel Barcelo, did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The other driver remains hospitalized in critical condition, according to police.
The other two drivers were not hurt.
Police believe that Barcelo was driving westbound on Van Buren Street when for unknown reasons, his vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and hit the three vehicles traveling eastbound.
Both incidents are being investigated by the Phoenix Police Department.
