3 dead, several injured after vehicle collision following DPS pursuit on I-10

Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article linked Bart Graves to the wrong agency. Bart Graves is with the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Three people died after an SUV crashed while being pursued by a state DPS trooper Thursday in Picacho in what investigators say was an "attempted human smuggling" incident, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

According to Bart Graves, spokesperson with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the collision happened just before 9 a.m. near milepost 214 of Interstate 10. 

According to Graves, the SUV carried nine passengers and was driving westbound on the highway when a DPS trooper tried to stop it. The SUV did not yield, leading to a pursuit. 

While being followed, the SUV crossed the dirt median into the eastbound lanes of the freeway, striking a trailer head-on, he said. Nine people were in the SUV, while only the driver was in the trailer.

Two people died at the scene. Another victim was pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital, Graves said. All were passengers in the SUV. Their identities were not released.

According to Graves, several other passengers were injured and required extraction. All were taken to area hospitals. DPS did not disclose the exact number of victims or their conditions.

Graves said federal officials had been contacted for assistance.

The Homeland Security Investigations arm of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement that its special agents would be looking into "the attempted human smuggling activity.”

DHS said information would be limited during the investigation. Customs and Border Protection issued a similar statement.

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 near State Route 87 are closed, according to DPS.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is rerouting traffic at the location. They advised drivers to expect delays and seek alternate routes. 

"There is no estimated time to reopen the eastbound lanes. The westbound lanes are unaffected," ADOT said in a Thursday update just before noon. 

Reach breaking news reporter Laura Daniella Sepulveda at lsepulveda@lavozarizona.com or on Twitter @lauradNews.

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