DPS investigates rollover collision with numerous victims

Arizona Department of Public Safety investigates rollover collision with numerous victims

Vehicle carried suspected illegal immigrants; human smuggler/driver arrested

On Wednesday July 15, 2009, at approximately 5:22 p.m., the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) received several 911 calls concerning a white SUV that had rolled over several times while traveling southbound on Interstate 17. DPS Metro-west patrol officers learned the vehicle was on Interstate 17 near Pioneer Road when, for some unknown reason, the vehicle left the roadway and rolled. It eventually landed in the median.

Six people riding in the SUV were ejected and seriously injured. One injured person was still in the vehicle and had to be extricated. The two most seriously injured are ages 15 and 16. They were both flown to John C. Lincoln Hospital where they remain in critical condition. The rest of the injured passengers were adults. The driver of the SUV fled the scene on foot. Phoenix police canine units and a Phoenix police helicopter initiated a search for the driver in the desert area near the crash scene.

At approximately 11:00 p.m., Phoenix Police received information about the suspect who was standing near a pay phone near the Carefree highway about one mile from the interstate where the rollover occurred. DPS officers responded and arrested the suspect. He has been charged with numerous counts of aggravated assault along with human smuggling and money laundering.

All victims in this collision, including the suspect, are Mexican nationals.