A spokesman for the Arizona Department of Public Safety says an impaired driver may have caused a five-vehicle crash on Oct. 17. The accident happened in Phoenix shortly after 2 a.m., and police allege that the driver accused of causing the wreck was driving in the wrong direction. Although the driver is suspected of DUI, the DPS spokesman said that the investigation might not be completed for weeks or even months.
The car accident happened while a 25-year-old woman was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10. After driving through the Deck Park Tunnel, the woman struck a vehicle in a head-on collision. Three other cars that were traveling eastbound then became involved in the wreck when they collided with the first two cars and debris from the initial crash.
Following the collision, four people were transported to Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center. Their injuries were reported to be serious and critical. The roadway near the accident scene was shut down for the next eight hours. Eastbound I-10 between the I-17 interchange and 7th Avenue was closed as were the ramps that are used to enter eastbound I-10 from I-17.
When a car accident is found to be the fault of an impaired driver, the injured victims may have a good case for filing a personal injury claim. Toxicology results and other evidence that is used during the criminal trial may help an injured plaintiff to establish liability for a civil claim. Car accident victims may seek reimbursement for medical expenses and lost wages that were the direct result of their involvement in the car accident.
Source: CBS5AZ.com, “DPS: Impairment suspected in wrong-way crash on I-10”, Steve Stout, October 17, 2014