UPDATE (12:08 p.m., Sept. 18):
Arizona Department of Public Safety has identified the victims of the I-19 car crash as 56-year-old Manuel Encinas and his 35-year-old son, Juan Encinas. Juan was driving and Manuel was the passenger.
DPS said Manuel and Juan were in the vehicle that flipped over, a Chevy Silverado. The Silverado had a tire blowout, causing it to go off left into the median.
Once in the median, it began to rollover toward the southbound side of I-19, DPS said, where it came to its final resting point upside down on top of the hood of a KIA small SUV.
Both Manuel and Juan were ejected and sustained fatal injuries, DPS said.
UPDATE (11:23 a.m., Sept. 18):
According to a social media post from Drexel Heights Fire District, two people died at the scene of the crash that closed southbound Interstate 19 and four were transported to the hospital.
Witnesses told emergency crews that one of the vehicles was traveling northbound and lost control. It rolled into the median and came to rest on its roof in the southbound lanes, the post said.
A vehicle traveling southbound then struck the overturned vehicle, resulting in a multi-vehicle crash. Four vehicles were involved, the post said.
The four who were injured were transported to Banner University Medical Center - Main Campus.
The investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE (4:39 p.m.):
ADOT has confirmed that both northbound and southbound I-19 are open.
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Interstate 19 southbound is shut down due to a two-car fatal crash at kilometer post 83, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Two persons are deceased. I-19 southbound is closed at San Xavier Rd. Traffic is being routed to exit at San Xavier Rd.
Northbound I-19 is still open but is subject to close, the post said.
HERE IS A VIEW AT I-19 AND SAN XAVIER ROAD FROM ADOT (3:00 p.m.):
Drivers should find an alternate route.
HERE IS A VIEW AT I-19 AND VALENCIA ROAD FROM ADOT(3:00 p.m.):
Santa Rita Fire Department said crews are also at another crash on northbound Interstate 19, at kilometer post 84.
Northbound traffic is heavy, the post said.
