Closure due to fatal collision causing a hazardous materials situation

On July 24, 2009, at 9:07 a.m., a semi-truck pulling two trailers was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle veered off the roadway causing the truck to overturn in the right shoulder. The commercial vehicle, which was carrying corrosive placards, caught fire immediately. The driver of the semi was deceased on scene. A passenger in the truck was injured.

The fire was so intense it completely engulfed the semi-truck and came in contact with overhead power lines. As a result, Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Officers closed both the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 10 at Picacho Peak.