1 dead in fiery crash on Interstate 17 at Bell Road
Nov 19, 2014, 7:03 AM | Updated: Nov 20, 2014, 1:20 pm
PHOENIX — One person has died and another seriously injured in a fiery car crash Wednesday morning on a Phoenix freeway.
The multicar accident left two people trapped in a burning car and shut down Interstate 17 south near Bell Road and north at Greenway Road.
The wreck involved as many as five vehicles, including a big rig that was carrying bricks.
Authorities said the semitruck hit four cars, the first an SUV.
The truck driver, Brian J. Knoll, 54, of Phoenix was led away in handcuffs. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI and booked for one count of second-degree murder.
The driver of the burning vehicle was identified as Paul Troupe, 22, of Phoenix. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Knoll told authorities the he had fallen asleep behind the wheel.
Several other people were injured and taken to hospitals, and at least one other patient suffered life-threatening injuries.
One southbound lane was reopened at Bell around 8 a.m. The freeway was fully reopened about 2 p.m.
