By Associated Press - Saturday, April 5, 2014

PHOENIX (AP) - A woman riding in a car on a Phoenix interstate died Saturday after a crash threw her into oncoming traffic, where she was hit by multiple vehicles, authorities said.

A driver who stopped to help was then struck by an SUV but is in stable condition, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said. Two other people also received injuries that were not life-threatening, and two drivers are expected to face charges in the crash, DPS spokesman Bart Graves said.

Earlier, officials said the woman who died was driving, but after further investigation she was found to be a passenger, Graves said. She was ejected from a Chevrolet Malibu going north before 5:20 a.m. Saturday on Interstate 17 near Thunderbird Road.

The female driver lost control and slammed into a median wall, and a Mercury Cougar then hit the car, Graves said. The passenger was thrown over the wall into southbound traffic, where several cars struck her, the DPS said.

The good Samaritan driver, the woman behind the wheel of the Malibu, and the driver of the Mercury all had non-life-threatening injuries, Graves said.

The driver of the SUV that struck the good Samaritan left but returned to the scene and was cooperating with authorities, authorities said.

The Malibu driver faces a manslaughter charge, and the SUV driver faces a felony hit-and-run charge, he said.

Anyone who sees accidents should just call 911, Graves added.

“I know it’s a very strong human emotion to render aid, but think carefully,” he said. “The urban freeway system at night is very dangerous all around.”

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