Two crashes shut down Valley highways Saturday

A deadly wrong-way crash on US 60 and a separate incident on SR 79 caused major closures across the Phoenix area.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 8:04pm

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Two separate crashes on highways in the Phoenix area on Saturday morning led to major road closures. A deadly wrong-way crash happened around 7:18 a.m. on US 60 eastbound near Queen Valley, resulting in the closure of that highway. In a separate incident, a two-vehicle crash with injuries forced the closure of State Route 79 northbound north of Florence.

Why it matters

Highway closures due to crashes can cause significant traffic disruptions and delays for drivers across the Valley, impacting commutes and travel plans. The wrong-way crash on US 60 is particularly concerning as these types of incidents often result in fatalities.

The details

The wrong-way crash on US 60 eastbound near Queen Valley happened around 7:18 a.m. and resulted in one fatality. No additional details about the victims or circumstances of that crash have been released. The separate incident on State Route 79 northbound north of Florence involved a two-vehicle crash with injuries, leading to the closure of that highway from milepost 141 near Arizona Farms Road to milepost 149 near Magma Basin Road.

  • The wrong-way crash on US 60 occurred around 7:18 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • The closure on State Route 79 northbound was reported on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

The players

Arizona Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for managing and maintaining Arizona's highway system, including responding to incidents and closures.

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The takeaway

These highway crashes and closures highlight the importance of safe driving practices, especially regarding wrong-way driving, which can have devastating consequences. The incidents also underscore the need for efficient emergency response and traffic management to minimize disruptions for Valley residents and travelers.