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Man dead after car falls off overpass on the Stack

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PHOENIX — One man is dead, and another man is clinging to life after a car fell more than 70 feet off the I-10 overpass onto I-17 at the Stack.

The single-car crash happened early Saturday morning.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says just after 1 a.m., troopers responded to a car that had fallen off the ramp.

When they arrived, they found a car on its roof and confirmed it had come from the overpass above.

On Monday, the department told ABC15 they suspect impairment.

DPS also mentioning the female driver, who had non life-threatening injuries, will face charges once she is released from the hospital.

DPS identified the man killed as 55-year-old Major Raines from Phoenix.

"I thought about his family, that someone was expecting him home and he's not coming," said Paula Mann, who was driving home and watched the crash unfold in front of her.

She called 911 as she peered over the barrier.

"It rolled over it. It hit the left side and Boom! It just catapulted over. There was no going through [the barrier]," said Mann, who estimates the car fell 75 to 80 feet before landing on the hood.

ABC15 noticed some fencing above the concrete barriers on some stretches of the stack. There was no additional preventative measures though, on the area where the car careened off Saturday.

"I don't think something like that would've happened if the barriers were a little higher," said Paula. "I think the mayor, governor, city council, ADOT -- whoever is in a position of authority to get that done...It wouldn't take that much. A life is worth it."

ABC15 asked the Arizona Department of Transportation if more fencing, higher barriers, or other measures were being considered.

A spokesperson said, "Since the incident remains under investigation...we'll avoid speculating while awaiting further information."

Mann though, said she saw all the information needed.

"You never forget something like that. It's too traumatic," she said.

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