13-year-old boy dead, several in critical condition after crash on I-17 in Phoenix

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- A 13-year-old boy has died and several others, including two kids, are in critical condition after a serious crash on Interstate 17 near Union Hills Drive in Phoenix on Thursday night.

The Department of Public Safety says two SUVs were involved in the wreck just before 9 p.m. when one of the drivers lost control and struck the other SUV. Both SUVs rolled over, ejecting three out of four people. That includes the 13-year-old, who was riding in the front passenger seat. Two people were in the SUV that was hit, and the passenger in vehicle was also ejected, according to DPS.

The Phoenix Fire Dept. says one child and two women were rushed to the hospital in extremely critical condition, while another man and child were also seriously hurt.

During the investigation, the southbound lanes of I-17 were closed and traffic was being diverted to Loop 101. The on-ramps from Loop 101 to I-17 were also shut down. All southbound lanes of I-17 reopened around 4 a.m. Friday.

It’s unknown what caused one of the drivers to lose control, but DPS doesn’t believe impairment was a factor. The investigation is ongoing.

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