TEMPE, AZ – A devastating crash on U.S. 60 in Tempe early Tuesday morning left a community grappling with tragedy. For the co-owner of GT Hauling, who chose to remain unnamed, the incident that involved one of his company’s drivers has been described as a “worst nightmare.” Although he declined to appear on camera, he confirmed that the driver was part of a collision on the highway earlier in the day.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported two separate crashes. The first occurred shortly before 8 a.m. in the westbound lanes of U.S. 60, between Rural and McClintock Roads. A pickup truck towing a utility trailer struck a concrete barrier and veered into the eastbound HOV lane, rolling onto its side. This incident triggered a chain reaction involving seven other vehicles, including a commercial dump truck.
Several individuals, including two children, were taken to the hospital with injuries. Tragically, one child later died. In a subsequent crash, an SUV collided with a DPS vehicle that was blocking the initial accident scene. Fortunately, no troopers were inside the vehicle at the time. DPS is investigating the second crash for potential alcohol impairment.
In total, ten vehicles were involved between the two accidents. The co-owner of GT Hauling rushed to the scene as soon as he learned about the involvement of his driver. He recounted witnessing his driver in tears, visibly shaken by the events.
The company expressed deep sympathy for the victims, particularly the family of the deceased child, and for all those affected by the crash. The co-owner stated that DPS troopers assured him that his driver was not at fault for the collision.
Efforts to reach DPS for confirmation on this detail were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. However, the co-owner emphasized that GT Hauling is committed to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
Throughout the conversation, the co-owner’s emotional state was evident, revealing the personal impact of the tragedy. A family man himself, he shared that the last thing he ever wanted was for one of his trucks to be involved in a fatal accident.
The community remains in shock as they come to terms with the loss and the circumstances surrounding the crash. The investigation continues as DPS works to piece together the sequence of events that led to such a heartbreaking incident.