BLACK CANYON CITY, Ariz. (AP) - The Latest on a wrong-way crash on Interstate 17 (all times local):
10:20 p.m.
Officials say the southbound lanes of Interstate 17 have reopened at Black Canyon City.
A wrong-way driver killed a motorcyclist Tuesday and caused multiple crashes on Interstate 17, which closed both directions about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Phoenix.
State transportation officials say southbound traffic was backed up for about 7 miles (11 kilometers) before it re-opened several hours later. Drivers should expect long delays and use alternate routes if possible.
Arizona Department of Public Safety officials say they’ve arrested the wrong-way driver. They say the crash is still under investigation, and no other information was available.
Wrong-way drivers have claimed at least seven lives on Arizona’s highways this year.
In early June, state transportation officials announced a wrong-way detection pilot program that would be installed on I-17 in the fall.
___
5:10 p.m.
Officials say a wrong-way driver has killed a motorcyclist and caused multiple crashes on Interstate 17, closing the freeway about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Phoenix.
Arizona Department of Public Safety officials say they’ve arrested the wrong-way driver who caused the crashes on southbound I-17 near Black Canyon City.
State transportation officials say southbound traffic was backed up for about 7 miles (11 kilometers) Tuesday evening. Drivers should expect long delays and use alternate routes if possible.
Wrong-way drivers have claimed at least seven lives on Arizona’s highways this year. Metro Phoenix recently saw three wrong-way wrecks over the course of about two weeks.
In early June, state transportation officials announced a wrong-way detection pilot program that would be installed on I-17 in the fall.
Department of Public Safety officials say the crash is still under investigation, and no other information was available.
___
This item has been corrected to show the arrest details came from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, not the state transportation agency.
___
4:10 p.m.
Officials say a wrong-way collision has closed southbound Interstate 17 at Black Canyon City.
The closure went into effect Tuesday afternoon as many families traveled back to the metro Phoenix area following holiday-weekend trips to northern Arizona. Department of Transportation officials say all traffic must exit I-17 at Black Canyon City, and drivers should expect long delays and use alternate routes if possible.
Department of Public Safety officials say they responded to reports of a wrong-way driver. The crash is still under investigation, and no other information was available.
Metro Phoenix recently saw three wrong-way wrecks over the course of about two weeks, two involving fatalities.
In early June, state transportation officials announced a wrong-way detection pilot program that would be installed on I-17 in the fall.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.