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DPS: I-17 closed southbound outside Flagstaff after fatal crash involving 7 cars

Posted at 1:14 PM, Jun 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-19 23:43:00-04

Southbound I-17 is partially back open after a fatal crash just outside Flagstaff.

The Department of Public Safety says seven vehicles were involved and several people were ejected in the crash near Milepost 299.

Troopers say a disabled vehicle was on the left shoulder of the roadway , and traffic was stopped to move the vehicle over to the right shoulder. When traffic slowed, a heavy-duty tow truck could not stop in time and crashed into six different vehicles, according to DPS spokesman Bart Graves.

One of the vehicles hit had six people inside. It rolled several times, killing one person inside and injuring the other five. One of those hurt was admitted to the hospital with a head injury, but it was not considered life-threatening. The others were treated and released, Graves said.

Northbound lanes remained open near the crash.

DPS says to expect an extended closure, and didn’t give a time for fully reopening. Troopers said the highway would not return to normal operation for some time.

Traffic heading south from Flagstaff was first diverted onto Highway 89A, though traffic became too much, forcing authorities to turn back some vehicles.

Check current traffic conditions HERE.