A significant crash involving three vehicles shut down a stretch of eastbound Interstate 10 in west Phoenix on Sunday afternoon, leaving lanes closed and motorists facing major backups as emergency crews worked at the scene. Officials first received reports of the collision around noon near 35th Avenue, and the eastbound lanes of I‑10 in the vicinity of Loop 202 were taken out of service while responders attended to the vehicles and occupants.
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Traffic‑camera images and on‑scene footage showed at least one black SUV that had suffered heavy damage after striking a large pole on the side of the roadway. Firefighters were seen working to open the badly damaged vehicle. Rescue crews used the Jaws of Life to pry open the SUV and free the driver. After emergency personnel removed the person from the wreckage, that individual was placed into an ambulance on the highway shoulder and taken from the scene for further treatment. While rescuers focused on stabilizing the occupant and clearing debris, investigators began documenting the scene.
Police vehicle and a heavily damaged SUV at the crash scene in west Phoenix, with debris visible on the roadway as responders work.
State troopers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety have assumed responsibility for determining what precipitated the collision. At the time of the initial reports, troopers were examining the site and conducting an on‑scene investigation to piece together the sequence of events that led to the crash. Authorities did not release additional details about the number of people involved, their identities, or the severity of any injuries, and they cautioned that information remains limited while the probe continues.
The closure of eastbound lanes near the Loop 202 interchange produced heavy congestion across adjacent stretches of freeway. Drivers traveling eastbound encountered long delays as authorities maintained the closure to preserve the crash scene and allow first responders to work safely. Traffic images captured looking down the freeway showed lanes of stopped and slow‑moving vehicles as motorists tried to navigate past the area or seek alternate routes. Commuters were urged to avoid the section of I‑10 around 35th Avenue while the investigation and cleanup were underway.
Heavy traffic and stopped vehicles on eastbound I‑10 after a reported multi‑vehicle crash that closed lanes, causing major backups.
Fire departments and highway crews remained on scene handling both rescue and traffic control operations. Crews cleared debris from the roadway and coordinated with law enforcement to funnel traffic away from the immediate crash zone. Because the crash required extrication and involved damage to a pole at the roadside, responders needed space and time to work, which contributed to the sustained lane closures. Officials did not provide an estimate for when the lanes might reopen, reiterating that the timeline would depend on the progress of the investigation and the completion of vehicle removal and debris‑clearing operations.
Authorities asked motorists to plan alternate routes and to use caution if driving in the area. With several lanes closed and emergency vehicles present, the potential for secondary collisions and additional traffic disruptions increased, and drivers were reminded to heed directions from law enforcement and road crews. The exact cause of the three‑vehicle collision has not been released; troopers were expected to review witness statements, any available camera footage and physical evidence at the scene as part of their inquiry.
This remains an active situation. Officials encouraged anyone with information, photos or video related to the crash to share it with investigators through appropriate channels. News outlets and highway authorities advised motorists to check traffic updates and official social media channels before heading toward or through the west Phoenix stretch of I‑10. No further official details about the condition of those involved or the events leading up to the collision were available as responders continued their work, and additional information may be released as the investigation proceeds.