UPDATE 07/24
Tucson Police have identified the person killed in this crash as 49-year-old Thidavanh Anna Philavanh.
According to an updated media release, TPD says Philavanh was driving a Honda Odyssey when a Chrysler 300, driven by 22-year-old Leonardo Daniel Cruz, drove left of center from the southbound lanes and into oncoming northbound traffic. It was at that time, according to the report, that Cruz hit Philavanh's Honda and a Jeep Wrangler. Both Cruz and the driver of the Jeep were taken to Banner - University Medical Center.
The TPD media release says an officer from the Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit evaluated Cruz while he was at Banner - UMC and determined he was impaired at the time of the crash.
Cruz was charged with Second Degree Murder and, two counts of Aggravated Assault and two counts of Felony Criminal Damage once he was released from the hospital. He is currently booked into the Pima County Jail with a bond of $150,000.
Tucson Fire Department shared video from the scene of the crash, which cause a big traffic backup for hours Tuesday:
Tucson Fire responded to a fatal multi-car crash this afternoon on Kino Parkway and 36th Street.
— Tucson Fire Department (@TucsonFireDept) July 23, 2024
Three vehicles and four people were involved. The crash closed down northbound Kino Pkwy.
The incident was dispatched at 11:55 . pic.twitter.com/HJ7NV20yS0
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A three-vehicle crash just before noon on Tuesday resulted in the death of an adult female, with two more people sent to the hospital with serious injuries.
The intersection at East 36th Street and South Kino Parkway on Tucson's south side is closed while detectives find out what happened.
Drivers are advised to find alternate routes.
