Driver investigated for DUI
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – The Safford Fire Department was needed to extricate a driver after a severe collision in eastern Safford closed down U.S. Highway 70 for more than two hours on Wednesday afternoon. The driver is being investigated for possibly driving while impaired.
The crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of E. U.S. Highway 70, and involved a blue Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck and a white Ford heavy-duty commercial Empire Service truck. The highway was reopened at about 4:47 p.m.
According to a release from the city of Safford, the driver of the service truck stated that he was westbound on Highway 70 in his Empire service truck, and the blue pickup was traveling eastbound.
According to a preliminary investigation by the Safford Police Department, the blue pickup truck crossed into the westbound lane, causing the driver of the service truck to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid a head-on collision. The smaller truck subsequently struck the rear driver’s side of the service vehicle, resulting in the crash. Dash camera footage corroborated the service truck driver’s statements and version of events.
The collision sent the Empire service truck on its side and caused severe damage. The male driver managed to exit the truck and reported no injuries.
The blue Chevy suffered severe front-end damage, and the female driver had to be extricated from her vehicle by the Safford Fire Department. She was then transported to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center by paramedics with Lifeline Ambulance. Impairment is believed to be a factor in the collision, and the Chevy driver is being investigated for possible DUI charges. There is no current update to her condition.
The incident remains under investigation by the Safford Police Department. SPD was assisted at the scene by the Graham County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
