1 Dead, 1 Seriously Hurt in Tempe Freeway Wrong-Way Crash

Collision occurred on US 60 collector distributor lanes early Sunday morning.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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One person was killed and another seriously injured in a wrong-way crash on a Tempe-area freeway early Sunday morning. The collision happened around 1:15 a.m. on the westbound US 60 collector distributor lanes from the SR 143, as it parallels Interstate 10, after authorities received reports of a wrong-way driver heading northbound in the southbound lanes of the SR 143 near Broadway Road.

Why it matters

Wrong-way crashes on freeways are a major public safety concern, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. This incident highlights the need for continued efforts to prevent such dangerous driving behaviors and improve safety measures on Arizona's roadways.

The details

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the head-on crash involved the wrong-way driver. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. The collector distributor lanes were closed as authorities investigated the incident, but the main US 60 and I-10 freeways remained open.

  • The collision occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Arizona Department of Public Safety

The state law enforcement agency that responded to and investigated the wrong-way crash.

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What’s next

Authorities will continue to investigate the cause of the wrong-way driving and the crash, and the condition of the injured person will be closely monitored.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of driver safety and the need for continued vigilance and education to prevent wrong-way driving, which can have devastating consequences on Arizona's roadways.