One Killed, Two Injured in Dump Truck Crash on Arizona Highway

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the multi-vehicle collision on SR-74 near New River Road.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:40am

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A multi-vehicle crash involving a dump truck on State Route 74 in Peoria, Arizona has left one person dead and two others injured. The collision occurred when the dump truck struck the rear of a Jeep Cherokee, causing it to spin into oncoming traffic where it was hit by a Ford Expedition. The driver of the Jeep was killed, while a passenger suffered life-threatening injuries. The dump truck driver was unharmed.

Why it matters

Crashes involving large commercial vehicles like dump trucks can have devastating consequences due to the size and weight discrepancy between the truck and passenger vehicles. This incident highlights the risks of rear-end collisions and chain-reaction crashes, which are common in accidents with large trucks.

The details

Authorities said the dump truck was traveling eastbound on SR-74 when it struck the rear of the Jeep Cherokee ahead of it. The impact caused the dump truck to leave the roadway and overturn onto its side. The Jeep then spun into westbound traffic, where it was hit by the Ford Expedition.

  • The collision occurred around noon on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • Emergency units responded to the scene shortly after the crash.

The players

Lance Estervig

A 54-year-old Phoenix resident who was the driver of the Jeep Cherokee and was killed in the crash.

Jeep Cherokee

The vehicle that was struck from behind by the dump truck, causing it to spin into oncoming traffic.

Ford Expedition

The vehicle that collided with the Jeep Cherokee after it spun into the westbound lanes.

Dump Truck

The large commercial vehicle that struck the Jeep Cherokee from behind, causing the chain-reaction crash.

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What’s next

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash and say more details will be released as they become available.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of safe driving practices around large commercial vehicles, such as maintaining proper following distances and being alert for sudden stops or lane changes. It also highlights the need for continued efforts to improve safety standards and regulations for the operation of heavy trucks on public roads.