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Red light runner to blame for deadly PHX crash

Posted at 5:09 AM, May 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-06 00:49:23-04

More than ten hours after a fiery fatal crash in Maryvale, traffic is finally flowing through the area again.

The crash occurred around 4 a.m. near 58th Avenue and Thomas Road.

According to information on scene, five cars were involved, including one that burst into flames.

Phoenix police say just before 5 a.m. on Thursday morning, a tow truck driver who ran a red light led to a six car collision. 

Police say the driver hit a Mitsubishi, pushing it down the road. The car exploded into flames.

Witnesses at the scene say the driver was crying out for help, but the heat from the fire and the booms made it impossible for anyone to approach his car.

Josh Buch was on his way to work when he saw the big ball of fire and started recording video on his cell phone.

"It could have been me, I usually leave the house at the same time every morning, today for some reason, I left a little late."

Buch said he felt helpless as he could not help the man in the burning car, but several of them did try to help another driver who was trapped in his pick-up truck.

"Looked like he was in absolute shock, didn't know what was going on, where he was, he had a nail or some object impaled into his head."

Police said four people were taken to the hospital. 

ABC15 contacted the tow truck company Western Towing. An employee said the driver had suffered a concussion, and had been with the company for a year.  He did not know if the driver was on a call at the time of the crash. Witnesses at the scene said they saw a vehicle on top of the tow truck.

Police have tested everyone involved in the crash for alcohol and drugs, results are pending. The vehicular crimes unit was trying to piece together the crash.

In the middle of the chaos, police said one man crossed the crime tape line. Angel Munos, 41, is now behind bars, accused of trying to steal tools scattered on the road, from the scene of the accident.