Two people died and another is in critical condition after an early Monday morning crash that may have involved street racing.
The crash happened at 4 a.m. on Central Avenue near Butler Drive. The driver of one car lost control and crashed into a tree while the other car hit a wall on the opposite side of Central Avenue.
The crash into the tree launched the driver and passenger from the car, with one of them dying at the scene and the other dying at the hospital.
The car that hit the wall was so badly damaged that rescue crews had to use hydraulic tools to cut the vehicle open to free the driver.
While a witness said that it appeared that the cars were racing, the cause of the accident has not been confirmed. However, Sergeant Jonathan Howard from the Phoenix Police Department said that speed was a factor in the crash.
Authorities closed Central Avenue between Dunlap Avenue and Northern Avenue for several hours while investigating the crash.
Phoenix Fire Department Captain Aaron Ernsberger said that the scene was “pretty horrific.”
Unfortunately, fatal car accidents have increased significantly in the past 18 months, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
That is why multiple regulatory organizations under the Department of Transportation (DOT) have come together to create the Road to Zero Coalition. The goal of this group is to eliminate all traffic deaths within the next 30 years.
The coalition consists of the NHTSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration and the National Safety Council.
As part of the initiative, the DOT plans to allocate $1 million per year in grants over the next three years to support organizations that are trying to put an end to fatal car wrecks.
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you should contact the experienced auto accident injury lawyers at Phillips Law Group to review your claim. You could be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
Call 602-222-2222 right now or complete our Free Case Evaluation form.
