MOHAVE COUNTY – Motor vehicle traffic was re-routed for more than eight hours after the main highway between Phoenix and Las Vegas was closed following a deadly four-vehicle collision on Thursday, May 30.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) said the 7:43 a.m. crash on U.S. 93 occurred at milepost 178, between Wikieup and Wickenburg.
“A commercial vehicle traveling northbound crossed into the southbound lane and struck a commercial vehicle and a moving truck while they both took evasive action,” DPS spokesman Bart Graves said. “Another commercial vehicle was unable to avoid the collision and crashed head on into the northbound truck.”
Graves said two of the vehicles erupted into flames and that HAZMAT personnel were involved in cleanup of spilled powder copper concentrate.
“The driver of the northbound box truck, James Nowak, 66, North Las Vegas, sustained fatal injuries,” Graves said “Occupants from two other vehicles were transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.”
The Arizona Department of Transportation closed southbound traffic at the Interstate 40 interchange 20 miles east of Kingman. Northbound traffic was closed at State Route 71, south of Wikieup.
All highway lanes were re-opened to traffic by 3:52 p.m.
Dave Hawkins
Multi-vehicle crash closed US 93
