11-Oct-18
CHANDLER — A 46-year-old Maricopa woman and her two infant children have been identified as the individuals killed Wednesday morning in a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 10 near Queen Creek Road.
Kim Frankel and the two infants, who were not identified by authorities, were declared dead at the site of the crash, which closed parts of the freeway for most of Wednesday.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said Frankel and the children, whose ages weren’t released, were traveling in a Toyota van that was struck by a commercial vehicle that crossed the median. Frankel’s vehicle then burst into flames.
The collision took place shortly before 10 a.m. near milepost 163.
A 41-year-old Mesa man was driving the commercial vehicle in the eastbound lanes when it veered off the road, struck a Chevy Tahoe and crossed into the median.
The Tahoe rolled over cable barriers and came to a rest in the freeway’s westbound lanes. The commercial vehicle proceeded to hit three more vehicles, including Frankel’s van.
Several other injured people were transported to hospitals, including the driver of the commercial vehicle. A man, woman and two children were also taken to hospitals for various injuries.
DPS said it continues to investigate the collision and what caused the driver of the commercial vehicle to lose control.