2 killed after chain-reaction crash causes fire, chemical spill near US 60 in Mesa
MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — A deadly chain-reaction crash caused a massive fire and chemical spill that shut down an intersection near an East Valley freeway on Friday morning.
Authorities say four vehicles were involved in the crash around 7:30 a.m., near Country Club Drive and Iron Avenue, just south of the U.S. 60.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, a Hyundai Sonata and a Subaru SUV were stopped at the red light on the Country Club off-ramp at the intersection. Troopers say a white Ford pickup truck, driven by 39-year-old Brett Quadlin, didn’t stop at the red light and rear-ended the Hyundai, pushing that vehicle into the Subaru.
Troopers say debris from the crash struck a gray Dodge pickup truck that was also stopped for the red light next to the Hyundai and Subaru.
Crews arrived and found one vehicle engulfed, as firefighters began an aggressive attack on the flames and smoke. Firefighters say a pool cleaning truck was involved, causing a chemical spill in the intersection.
The two people in the Hyundai, 48-year-old David Ortiz De Jesus and 46-year-old Yesenia Morales De Castillo, died at the scene. Quadlin and the driver of the Subaru were hospitalized.
Quadlin was booked into jail on Sept. 27 for manslaughter, endangerment, aggravated assault and leaving the scene of a fatal collision. Troopers say impairment is suspected, and the investigation is ongoing.
A massive cloud of white smoke could be seen in the middle of the intersection. One vehicle could be seen with visible damage to its rear end.
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