MARANA, Ariz. - A deadly six car pileup near Picacho Peak on Friday shut down Interstate 10 for hours, even as far south as Marana.
Four people died in the crash and at least three others were hospitalized after a car crossed over the median and hit an SUV head on. Two semi trucks, a motor home, and a Maricopa County transport van were also involved.
Many drivers expressed their frustration after being stuck on I-10 and the frontage road for several hours before the road opened back up.
Traffic seems to be getting worse on W I-10. We are just north of Tangerine Road on the frontage road and we are hardly moving. Heads up for travelers heading to Phoenix, LA, San Diego for holiday weekend @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/Xp4t49a668
— Natalie Tarangioli (@ntarangioli) December 22, 2018
Bill Imes was on his way to a relative's 100th birthday party in Phoenix when he got caught in the backup. He says it took him five hours to drive to Marana.
"We called all of our children and grandchildren to entertain ourselves here because it's been a grim time," Imes said.
The backup spilled past the freeway and frontage road onto back roads and streets Friday night. Traffic worsened as the holiday weekend began and rush hour picked up.
