At least 69 cars were involved in three separate Phoenix auto accidents near downtown on Saturday night, the Associated Press reported.
Heavy rains are being cited as a possible reason for the collisions. Monsoons in the deserts around Phoenix can bring heavy downpours without warning; flooding commonly results. A Phoenix accident lawyer should always be consulted in the wake of a serious or fatal car accident. But particularly in cases where multiple vehicles and multiple victims are involved. Determining fault and filing a claim can both be complicated by the presence of multiple parties and multiple accident victims.
Media reports indicate that six people were taken to area hospital, two with serious injuries. Several others were treated at the scene. A five-mile stretch of I-10 was closed for several hours.
About 40 people involved in the crashes were still on the highway hours later. Authorities brought water, snacks and air conditioned city buses to the scene to keep people safe until they could make arrangements for a ride home.
The USA Today reported that one collision involved more than 35 vehicles and spanned more than two miles of roadway.
The speed on the road is 65 mph but fire officials believe many vehicles were traveling much slower because of the rain, which accounts for the lack of more serious injuries. The Phoenix fire department had about 100 firefighters on the scene.
FOX News reported it was the largest Phoenix car accident on record.
Authorities cited driving too fast for conditions and following too closely as contributing factors. At least half of the vehicles had to be towed from the crash scenes.