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2010-03-26 03:55:29 - Vehicle Accident - USA EDIS CODE: VI-20100326-25457-USA
Date & Time: 2010-03-26 03:55:29 [UTC]
Area: USA, State of Arizona, 27th Drive and Carefree Highway, Phoenix Number of death person(s): 3
Number of Injured person(s): 6
Damage level: Low (Level 1)
Not confirmed information! Description: Three people are dead and six others remain in critical condition following a massive wreck in north Phoenix. One of the victims in critical condition is a Phoenix fire captain. Daisy Mountain, Peoria and Phoenix fire departments were called to the scene around 1 p.m. near 27th Drive and Carefree Highway. Phoenix Fire Department spokesman Jonathan Jacobs said witnesses reported that several motorcycle riders were stopped at a light when they were struck from behind by a sanitation truck and pushed into three vehicles stopped ahead of them. Witnesses reportedly told officials the motorcycle riders were dragged 50 to 75 yards. The three riders killed were trapped under the truck, Jacobs said. The injured reportedly include four males and two females; two were air-lifted to Valley hospitals. The drivers of the other three vehicles involved were uninjured. Officials said one of the motorcyclists critically injured is off-duty Phoenix Fire Captain Ernie Lizarraga, who was flown to St. Joseph's Hospital in critical condition. Phoenix Fire Department Deputy Chief Frank Salomon said he knows Lizarraga very well. They "grew up" in the Department together. Salomon added that Lizarraga, a 22-year veteran, was scheduled to work Thursday but took a vacation day in order to presumably take advantage of the good weather and join the others on the ride. He said none of the other riders are employed by the Phoenix Fire Department. Eight total motorcycles were struck, Jacobs stated. Phoenix Public Safety Manager Jack Harris said, "I have never seen such a horrific accident involving so many motorcycles." According to Phoenix Police Department spokesperson Luis Samudio, the 50-year-old driver of the Blue Sky Sanitation truck was not injured and showed no signs of impairment. He was questioned by police. Carefree Highway is blocked in both directions from 27th Avenue to Interstate 17. Samudio said the roadway is expected to be closed for several more hours as detectives remain at the scene to investigate.
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