One Killed in Rear-End Crash with 18-Wheeler on I-10 in Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ — February 7, 2023, one person died in a fiery rear-end collision with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 10 in Tucson.
Authorities say the incident happened early Tuesday along I-10 at the I-19 junction. Preliminary investigation suggests only that a passenger vehicle somehow crashed into the back of an 18-wheeler's trailer at mile marker 259, then caught fire.
The car's driver was fatally injured in the collision. No other injuries were reported.
The investigation continues. No further information is currently available.
Preliminary reports don't offer much insight about this terrible accident, but in my experience people tend to compensate for a lack of clear facts by trying to fill in the blanks themselves. Rear-end collisions are actually a key example, as I've found some folks are quick to blame anyone who hits the back of another vehicle. Sometimes investigators find that person made a mistake, but it can't be taken for granted—including in Tucson, as there are still many questions that need answers.
For example: How fast were both vehicles traveling? How much space was there between them as they traveled on the highway? Did the truck change lanes or brake abruptly ahead of the car? Did the semi-trailer have an underride guard? Has anyone looked into whether the car's brakes, seatbelts, and airbags worked properly? Are there any witnesses that can help clarify things?
I don't know more than public reports can say about what happened here, but that's the issue: They don't say much. I don't expect authorities to have everything figured out already, but I also wonder exactly how much time and effort they'll devote to getting all the facts. That person's loved ones deserve to know the whole story, so who'll make sure they have it?
