Congratulations to Trooper Kamron Debelak on his recent graduation from the Police Academy Exchange Program in Abu Dhabi! AZDPS Colonel Jeffrey Glover was in attendance for the graduation ceremony, which was held at the Abu Dhabi Police College on Feb. 4, 2025.
- For Immediate Release -
-- Update: March 11, 2025 --
Investigators have identified three of the individuals who were killed in this collision:
Next-of-kin notification is pending for the fourth person.
No further information is available at this time.
-- Update: 10:30 a.m., March 2, 2025 --
*Important Note: The number of fatalities and injuries reported in our previous update was incorrect. Corrected numbers are provided below.
The Arizona Highway Patrol is conducting an extensive and detailed investigation into this tragic collision. Due to the number of vehicles and persons involved, this will take some time.
At this time, investigators believe there was an initial collision, followed by one or more secondary collisions, which resulted in additional injuries and deaths.
Troopers are investigating whether blowing dust was a significant factor in the collisions by potentially causing reduced visibility.
At this time, troopers believe the collision involved six commercial motor vehicles, four passenger vehicles, a van, and a recreational vehicle towing a trailer.
There are four confirmed fatalities, two people in critical condition who are receiving life-saving treatment, one person admitted for care and precautionary treatment, and five more people who were treated and released. These individuals were transported to numerous hospitals in the Valley area.
State troopers are still working to contact all the families of those involved and will not be releasing names or identification at this time. Our focus is on conducting a thorough and detailed investigation and supporting, as best we can, those involved in this tragic incident.
The eastbound travel lanes of Interstate 10 were reopened for traffic at approximately 3:10 a.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
The AZDPS and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) worked together closely to manage the scene, extended road closures, detours, and to quickly complete significant roadway repairs to reopen the road safely.
Witnesses and/or anyone with additional information are asked to report it to the AZDPS at 1-888-4AZTIPS (1-888-429-8477) or submit a tip online at www.azactic.gov.
--Update: 7:40 p.m., March 1, 2025 --
There are six confirmed fatalities as a result of this collision.
Thirteen people were transported to hospitals with injuries. *Please see updated information as of March 2, 2025.
Interstate 10 eastbound remains closed at milepost 88. There is no estimated time for reopening.
For updates on closures or to check current traffic and road conditions, please visit AZ511.com.
-- Preliminary Information: 7 p.m., March 1, 2025 --
Shortly before 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) troopers responded to the area of eastbound Interstate 10 near milepost 89 (west of Tonopah) for a collision involving multiple tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles. Numerous vehicles caught fire following the collision.
There are four confirmed fatalities as a result of this incident.
The eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 are closed at milepost 88. There is no estimated time for reopening.
Westbound travel lanes were closed but have since reopened.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area and seek an alternate route.
For updates on reopening or to check current traffic and road conditions, please visit AZ511.com.
No further information is available at this time.
- For Immediate Release -
The Arizona Commercial Vehicle Safety Partnership (ACVSP) will conduct its annual “Operation Southern Shield” from Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, through Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, on Interstate 10 from Phoenix to the New Mexico state line and on Interstate 19 from Tucson to the international border.
The ACVSP comprises Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau troopers and Arizona Department of Transportation Enforcement and Compliance Division officers.
During this year’s operation, more than 80 commercial vehicle enforcement inspectors from the ACVSP, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, the Marana Police Department, and the Goodyear Police Department are committed to reducing the risk of commercial vehicle-involved collisions. Enforcement efforts will be conducted along I-10 and I-19 with special emphasis placed on motor carrier safety regulations, including driver qualification, hours of service, and overall safe operations.
Inspectors and enforcement officers will target hazardous moving violations, distracted driving, and seat belt violations while conducting commercial vehicle inspections to ensure commercial drivers and vehicles comply with commercial vehicle regulations and state laws.
The mission of the Arizona Commercial Vehicle Safety Partnership is to ensure safe, secure, and efficient commercial transport across Arizona.
Update: Thursday, March 6, 2025 - Results of Operation Southern Shield
During the five-day special enforcement detail Operation Southern Shield, the ACVSP and partners completed 910 commercial vehicle inspections and recorded 2,614 driver-vehicle examination report violations.
Throughout the operation, 146 vehicles and 92 drivers were placed out of service for critical violations. With Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data and research indicating fatigue, inattention, and distracted driving are the leading causes of collisions in which CMV operators are at fault, ACVSP personnel placed special emphasis on violations related to driver hours of service and qualifications, as well as cell phone use and other causes of distracted driving. Additional importance was placed on restraint usage, with 25 restraint violations reported.
This year’s operation included more than 80 commercial vehicle enforcement inspectors from the ACVSP, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, the Marana Police Department, and the Goodyear Police Department.
The mission of the Arizona Commercial Vehicle Safety Partnership is to ensure safe, secure, and efficient commercial transport across Arizona.
