QUEEN CREEK, AZ — A teen is dead and three others are hurt after a single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning in Queen Creek.
Queen Creek Police say Rittenhouse Road is closed between Riggs Road and Cloud Road as the scene is investigated.
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office says the vehicle was driving around a curve when it drove into the opposing lanes of traffic, hit a brick wall and electrical equipment. The electrical equipment caught fire and it spread to the vehicle.
The PCSO confirmed all of the people in the vehicle are teenagers.
PCSO has identified the passenger who died as 18-year-old Caleb Rodriguez.
A 16-year-old male passenger has since been released from the hospital after being treated for minor injuries.
Two others remain in the hospital. A 17-year-old female is in critical condition and a 13-year-old female is being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Speed and impairment are being investigated as likely factors.
The sheriff's office says the driver, identified as 18-year-old Ezana Tessema, will be booked for manslaughter and aggravated assault into the Maricopa County Jail.
Rodriguez's family has set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs.
