Police: Man was driving the wrong-way before fiery crash that left 3 dead in north Phoenix

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — We’re learning more information about a fiery three-car crash that left three people dead in north Phoenix late Thursday night.

Phoenix police responded to a crash involving three vehicles just after 11 p.m. near 19th Avenue, just north of Loop 101. When they arrived at the scene, officers found that two of the cars crashed head-on, and one of them caught on fire.

In an update Friday afternoon, officers say they learned that a car being driven by 18-year-old Abelino Diaz was driving southbound lanes. Diaz and his passenger, identified as 38-year-old Octaviano Giron, were both rushed to the hospital where they later died from their injuries. Detectives say the driver in the other vehicle, which had caught fire, was pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity has not been released. A person in the third vehicle wasn’t hurt and their car sustained very little damage.

Authorities say the investigation is still ongoing and it’s unclear whether speeding or impairment were factors in the crash.