CORDES LAKES, Ariz. — Interstate 17 southbound has re-opened near Cordes Lakes after a fatal crash shut it down for about three hours on Sunday afternoon, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety told 12News the closure, which was between mileposts 259 and 260, was due to a fatal crash involving just one vehicle. The freeway was closed so police could investigate the crash and so a helicopter could land.
Milepost 260 is just a couple of miles south of the exit for State Route 69, which is the main road to Prescott and Prescott Valley from I-17.
The closure, which caused a major backup in the southbound lanes, but did not affect the northbound lanes, went into effect around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and the freeway re-opened at about 4:30 p.m.
Investigators believe that the vehicle started to drift right off the road and the driver steered hard to the left. The vehicle then spun out and struck the guardrail which went through the vehicle, hurting both occupants.
The driver was pronounced dead on the scene and the passenger was flown to a Phoenix Hospital, DPS said.
Drivers can check on the current status of the closure on AZ511.gov, in the AZ511 app or by calling 511.
This is a developing story and more details will be added as they are made available.
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