Woman killed in U.S. 60 crash while cars were pulled over to change flat tire: DPS

Impairment is suspected in an overnight East Valley freeway crash that injured several people and left one woman dead.

What we know:

The crash happened at around 1 a.m. on Sept. 16 in the eastbound lanes of the U.S. 60 near Higley Road.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says two cars were pulled over on the right side of the freeway to change a flat tire, and when they were about to drive away, a third car hit both vehicles.

A woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and five other people were hurt.

(KSAZ-TV)

"Impairment is suspected of the driver of the 3rd vehicle who sustained non-life-threatening injuries," DPS told FOX 10.

The eastbound lanes of the freeway were closed at Higley, but they have since been reopened. The westbound lanes weren't affected by the crash.

Dig deeper:

On Sept. 17, DPS identified the suspect as 21-year-old Zachary Robert Penrod of Queen Creek. They say Penrod "showed signs of impairment and was arrested at the scene."

"Penrod was booked into the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Jail on one count of manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count of endangerment," read a portion of the statement.

Zachary Robert Penrod

Zachary Robert Penrod (Courtesy: Arizona Department of Public Safety)

Map of the area where the crash happened:

The Source: The Arizona Department of Public Safety

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