GILBERT, Ariz. — A wrong-way crash at Williams Field and Recker roads in Gilbert left one person dead early Thursday morning, police said.
A white 2012 Ford F250, which was being driven by 23-year-old Harrison Ward, was headed east in the westbound lanes of Williams Field Road and speeding, when it collided head-on with a 2017 Hyundai Elantra just west of Recker Road, according to court documents.
Police said the Elantra was being driven by 20-year-old Anastasia Dombrowski. She died at the scene of the crash.
Officers spoke to Ward at the scene of the crash and noticed that he appeared to be drunk. He was taken to a hospital as a precaution, where a blood sample was taken after a search warrant was obtained.
The blood sample showed Ward had a blood alcohol level of 0.275, more than three times the legal limit of 0.08.
Ward told officers he had been drinking at Top Golf in Gilbert until about 10 p.m. on Wednesday night.
When officers asked about the crash, he said he was driving about 45 miles per hour, but did not have a specific destination.
Police found four 24 oz. beer cans on the floor of the backseat of Ward's truck, according to court documents.
The documents also said that evidence at the scene of the crash showed Ward was driving much faster than the posted speed limit of 35 mph in the area and that the car continued driving for 525 feet after hitting the Elantra. The truck also collided with the center median, street lamps and street signs before coming to a stop.
All of that showed that Ward was going at least 76 mph when the crash happened, according to the documents.
Ward was taken into custody after he was released from the hospital and is facing charges of aggravated DUI and second-degree murder.
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Deaths on Arizona roads
Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that roadway fatalities have been gradually rising in Arizona over the last decade:
2011: 825 deaths
2012: 821 deaths
2013: 844 deaths
2014: 774 deaths
2015: 895 deaths
2016: 952 deaths
2017: 1,000 deaths
2018: 1,010 deaths
2019: 982 deaths
2020: 1,057 deaths
ADOT offers driving tips on its website to help keep people safe on the road.
"There’s always room for improvement when it comes to road safety," the department said on its website.
ADOT's suggestions include:
Don’t speed or drive aggressively
Never drive while under the influence of substances
Avoid distractions while driving
Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers are doing the same
When an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, move over
Stay extra aware in work zones
Be prepared for weather conditions that make driving dangerous
"Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511, downloading the AZ 511 app and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT," the department said.
