2 infants killed in crash on Phoenix freeway identified

PHOENIX - Authorities have identified two small children who died after a three-vehicle collision on a west Phoenix freeway Saturday.

The Department of Public Safety said Sunday that 3-week-old Gabriel Romero and 13-month-old Liliana Romero were killed in the accident that happened around 2:40 p.m. on eastbound Interstate 10 west of 43rd Avenue.

An account has been set up at US Bank for "Avina's Angels." Reference account number 1515703764937.

DPS spokesman Bart Graves said the accident occured when a vehicle slowed for a minor fender bender on the freeway, cutting off a minivan driven by 38-year-old Maribel Montoya. DPS said 17-year-old Armando Montoya was a passenger in the vehicle. He was not hurt.

DPS said the minivan was then rear-ended by a Saturn sedan driven by 26-year-old Jennifer Conaway with the two children inside. Those vehicles were then hit by a fuel tanker, driven by 49-year-old Jeffrey Brooks, of Prescott, which rolled over onto its side.

The infants and women were taken to Valley hospitals where the children died. A Phoenix fire official said both women were transported in critical condition.

The driver of the tanker truck was not injured.

Interstate 10 was closed until nearly 1 a.m. for the investigation and clean up.