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A suspected impaired driver is in custody after causing a four‑vehicle wreck in west Phoenix early Thursday morning, according to police.
The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. April 10 near the intersection of 27th Avenue and McDowell Road. Officers responding to multiple 911 calls found four damaged cars scattered across the roadway, with debris blocking several lanes.
Emergency crews transported one person to a local hospital with non‑life‑threatening injuries. The other three drivers involved were evaluated at the scene and declined further medical treatment.
Police identified the driver believed to be at fault as a 34‑year‑old man whose name has not yet been released. He was arrested on suspicion of extreme DUI after officers observed signs of impairment and administered field sobriety tests.
“The intersection was shut down for roughly three hours while detectives documented the scene and cleared the wreckage,” Phoenix Police Sergeant Melissa Vargas said in a statement. “We’re still gathering evidence to determine exactly what led up to the collision.”
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses. Preliminary reports suggest the suspect’s vehicle ran a red light before slamming into the first car, setting off a chain‑reaction crash.
Court records show the suspect has a prior DUI conviction from 2021. If convicted of this new charge, he could face enhanced penalties, including longer jail time and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device.
The injured person, a woman in her 40s, was listed in stable condition as of Thursday morning. She suffered a broken arm and minor cuts, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Traffic on 27th Avenue was detoured to Indian School Road and Thomas Road during the closure. All lanes reopened shortly after 5 a.m. in time for the morning commute.
Neighbors in the area said they were jolted awake by the sound of metal grinding against metal. “I heard a huge bang. It sounded like a bomb went off,” said Javier Ramos, who lives half a block away. “When I looked outside, I saw cars all crumpled up and people running around.”
Phoenix police urge anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash‑cam footage to contact the department’s traffic division. They also remind drivers that DUI checkpoints will be stepped up across the city this weekend.
This isn’t the first major DUI‑related crash on this stretch of McDowell Road. In 2023, a similar incident left two people with serious injuries. City transportation officials have since added more streetlights and reflective signs to improve visibility.
The suspect remains in police custody pending a court appearance later today. Formal charges are expected to include aggravated DUI, reckless driving, and causing injury with a vehicle.
As the investigation continues, authorities emphasize that driving under the influence remains a leading cause of preventable deaths on Arizona roads. Nearly 30% of all traffic fatalities in Maricopa County last year involved alcohol, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
For now, the intersection has returned to normal traffic flow. But for those involved, the aftermath of the early‑morning crash will likely linger for weeks, especially for the woman still recovering at Banner University Medical Center.
Police expect to release the suspect’s name and booking photo later in the day after formal charges are filed.
