Three Dead in Multi-Vehicle Pile-up Involving 18-Wheeler

According to the Arizona Daily Star, three people died in a multiple-vehicle crash involving an 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 near Tucson, Arizona.

Investigation into Wreck Ongoing

The fatal crash occurred at around 8:00 a.m. local time when a semi-truck driver failed to slow for stopped traffic. The traffic backed up at the Ruthrauff Road exit, and Roberto Monge, 33, the driver of the 18-wheeler, slammed into the back of a car.

A chain-reaction crash began, involving five other passenger cars and a box truck.

The driver of the first struck car, Abril Castillo, 41, died at the scene of the crash. Her 12-year-old daughter received treatment at a nearby hospital but later died of her injuries.

Tina Totty, 46, also died at the hospital from injuries sustained in the crash.

Trucking Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• In 2014, 3,903 people died and an estimated 111,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks.
• Of these fatalities in 2014, 73% were occupants of other vehicles.
• From 2013 to 2014, there was a 19% increase in the number of injured occupants of other vehicles involved in large-truck traffic crashes.