1 dead in high-speed multi-car crash in Phoenix

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A deadly crash shut down a busy intersection for hours on Tuesday. The crash's impact nearly sheered one vehicle in half. Witnesses say the driver who caused the crash was traveling nearly 100 miles per hour when he blew through a red light at 27th Avenue and McDowell Road.

"I was making a left turn on 27th Avenue.. this car was coming about 90 miles per hour and hit me, flipped over and crashed," said Keon Taylor.

Taylor had the right of way and was waiting to make a left turn from McDowell onto 27th Avenue when the speeding driver hit his car. Witnesses say the speeder then went airborne.

"It took off like an airplane and it slid across," said Tommy Randolph.

Josh Seaver added, "Basically set him off his four wheels into this F-150.. teeter totter over.. smashed his cab in."

The speeding car, which had been traveling north, veered into the southbound lane, hitting the pickup truck head-on. The impact tore the car apart.

"Split in two.. right in half.. easily like butter when I watched it.. split like butter," said Seaver.

The speeding driver died at the scene and witnesses at a nearby bus depot rushed to save the pickup truck's driver.

"They actually started pouring water on the pickup truck that was on fire, brought out fire extinguishers, did a great job without thinking.. providing aid to whoever they could," said Phoenix Police Sgt. Jon Howard.

Taylor was able to walk away from the deadly sequence of events. He's still dazed and in disbelief about the crash he survived.

"I'm grateful to be alive. The police said it would've been two more inches I would've been dead."

Police have not released the name of the driver and are still looking into why he was driving so dangerously.

Two other victims suffered minor injuries.