I-17 closed in Phoenix after multiple accidents, authorities say

Arizona Department of Public Safety officials were investigating a suspected drunk driving incident on I-17 when three other vehicles were involved in crashes.

PHOENIX – Three people were taken to the hospital and two people were extricated from their vehicles in Phoenix after police investigated a suspected drunken driving case and several crashes occurred during the investigation, authorities said.

Arizona Department of Public Safety officials investigated a suspected driver who was driving under the influence of alcohol and stopped in the northbound lane of Interstate 17 at Northern Avenue in Phoenix at 1 a.m. on July 7.

While police officers were removing the vehicle from the road and investigating the case of driving under the influence of alcohol, two other uninvolved vehicles collided in a traffic jam. No injuries were reported in the second accident.

After the second crash, another uninvolved vehicle crashed into the vehicles in the second crash at a high rate of speed. The driver of one of the vehicles in the second crash died when he was struck by the third vehicle, authorities say.

The driver of the third vehicle, a juvenile, and a passenger in the first vehicle both suffered life-threatening injuries. The driver of the first vehicle is being assessed for possible impairment.

The northbound lanes of I-17 are closed and, according to authorities, there is no foreseeable reopening.

Watch 12News+ for free

Thanks to the 12News+ app, you can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere!

12News’ free 12News+ app allows users to stream live events – including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program “Arizona Midday” – on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

12News+ presents live video throughout the day with breaking news, local news, weather, and even the occasional zen moment with stunning sights from across Arizona.

Users can also watch on-demand video of major stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and old videos from the 12News archives.

Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or search for “12 News KPNX.”

Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12News+ app and add it to your account, or get the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV via Amazon.com or the Amazon app.

Other ways to get 12News

On your phone: Download the 12News app to get the latest local breaking news delivered straight to your phone.

On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device

12News+ presents live video throughout the day with breaking news, local news, weather, and even the occasional zen moment with stunning sights from across Arizona.