DPS: 2 killed in 2 crashes on US 60 in Apache Junction

APACHE JUNCTION, AZ - Two people killed in two collisions in Apache Junction Wednesday morning have been identified.

Bart Graves with the Arizona Department of Public Safety said the accidents occurred on westbound US 60 at Tomahawk around 5:30 a.m.

Graves said the driver of a Toyota pickup said he was distracted when he looked up and observed a motorcycle traveling at slow speed in front of him.

The driver of the pickup could not stop in time and reportedly hit the rear of the motorcycle.

The Apache Junction Fire Department said a large service truck arriving right behind the accident stopped in a center lane to protect the motorcycle rider who was down on the road.

Other passersby had also stopped and CPR was performed on the motorcyclist, according to AJFD.

The rider of the motorcycle, identified as Richard Trahar of Gold Canyon, had been thrown from his bike and died at the scene.

The second crash occurred within a minute after the first one.

Graves said traffic slowed to a stop because of the first crash and a man driving a Honda passenger car stopped at the scene.

A Ford Expedition reportedly failed to stop in time and hit the Honda killing the driver, identified as Harry E. Willis of Apache Junction.

AJFD said the driver and passenger of the truck that hit the motorcycle were not injured and the driver of the Expedition was not injured.

One bystander reportedly received a cut to the hand while helping with patient treatment, according to AJFD.

US 60 westbound was blocked until 9:30 a.m.