UPDATE: 3:30 p.m., Nov. 5 – The Arizona Highway Patrol has released the name of the deceased victim and additional information regarding the crash.
UPDATE 11:04 p.m. – ADOT has updated its post relating to this accident on I-15 southbound – from mile post 19.50, 1.20 miles North of Cedar Pocket Rest area – closed until 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
MOHAVE COUNTY, Ariz. – The Arizona Highway Patrol has confirmed a three-vehicle accident on the Arizona strip area of Interstate 15 has left one dead, others injured, and the road blocked.
AHP Sgt. John Bottoms said preliminary investigations indicate that a vehicle being towed by another vehicle somehow separated from the lead vehicle and drifted into traffic, causing a collision involving a third vehicle on southbound I-15 around Arizona mile post 19. The collision occurred around 6:30 p.m. Mountain time (both Arizona and Utah).
One person was confirmed dead at the scene and another was airlifted by medical chopper to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Bottoms said. He was unable to confirm how many people were involved or the extent of their injuries.
Both lanes on I-15 are currently blocked due to the accident and Bottoms estimated cars to be backed up for at least three to four miles. Commercial trucking traffic is also being held at the port of entry.
The Arizona Highway Patrol is asking for the public’s help in determining the cause of the crash, and is asking any witnesses who passed by the crash to call 928-347-6385.
As this report goes to publication, Arizona Department of Transportation has estimated that southbound lanes will be cleared around 11 p.m. Mountain time.
This is a developing story. Elements may be revised as additional information becomes available.
CORRECTION: Times for both Arizona and Utah are Mountain standard time.
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Prayers for all involved.
A heavy heart for them it was so awful to see!