(Surprise, Arizona) On October 13th, a wrong-way driver crashed into another vehicle at the West Valley Freeway in loop 303, killing one person and injuring another.
According to an Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson, dispatchers received phone calls of a wrong-way driver on the northbound lanes of Loop 303. Before on-duty troopers arrived at the scene, they received a report of the wrong-way driver striking another vehicle head-on just near Bell Road.
Due to the impact of the collision, the wrong-way driver’s vehicle was caught on fire. Bystanders around the scene tried to pull the driver out of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the victim of the other vehicle had died at the scene. The wrong-way driver was taken to the hospital in an unknown condition. According to DPS, charges against the wrong-way driver are pending.
All of the northbound lanes of Loop 303 were temporarily closed all night, but re-opened by Wednesday at approximately 3:30 a.m.
Legal Analysis on the Loop 303 Wrong Way Vehicle Crash
When a wrong-way driver causes the death of another person, investigators are likely to review reckless driving laws to determine consequences the driver shall face. Because the driver was also driving the wrong way, investigators may review traffic lane laws to determine what specific section the driver had violated.
Because the driver caused the death of another person, then they have committed manslaughter under A.R.S 13-1103. This law specifically discusses that if a person causes the death of another person it is considered to be manslaughter and a class 2 felony. The driver may face serious consequences under A.R.S 13-702 of class 2 felony by imprisonment for 3 to 12.5 years.
It is likely that the driver may be charged in relation to recklessly driving with a charge of a class 2 misdemeanor under A.R.S 28-693. The driver would potentially lose their driving privileges for 90 days. If they had already violated this law in the past, this time they may spend 20 days in jail without a possibility of a probation, pardon, suspension or release of any bases.
Advice to the Victim’s Family
If you were a close loved one of the victims who tragically lost their life in the Loop 303 wrong way vehicle crash, it’s important to reach out to loved ones or friends for emotional support. If you are planning to take legal actions against the driver, contacting a legal attorney in vehicle accidents can help you receive justice for the victim.
Have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this incident? call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
