By Jon Johnson
SAN JOSE – Impairment is believed to have been a factor in a fatal collision Wednesday night east of Safford on U.S. Highway 70 near milepost 346. The crash and investigation caused the closure of the highway for several hours.
According to a release from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, a full-size van was eastbound on U.S. Highway 70 at about 7:46 p.m. when it began passing other vehicles in a no-passing zone while traveling at a high rate of speed.
A commercial semi-truck was westbound on U.S. Highway 70, and the van struck the commercial vehicle head-on in the westbound lane, according to the DPS.
The driver and co-driver of the commercial vehicle were treated and released with minor injuries. The driver of the at-fault van was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety is investigating the incident. It reports that impairment was believed to be a factor in the crash.
