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DPS: Wrong-way driver stopped on US-60; driver arrested found to be 'severely impaired'

Posted at 4:25 AM, Feb 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-16 12:45:15-05

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is investigating after a "severely impaired" wrong-way driver was stopped in the southeast Valley early Thursday morning. 

The driver got on the SR-51 at Highland around 2:25 a.m. and continued driving southbound in the northbound lanes, all the way to the westbound lanes of US-60 near Mill Avenue.

Troopers tried to stop the driver several times with stop sticks and by attempting to sideswipe the vehicle, damaging two patrol cars in the process. 

Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The driver, identified as 25-year-old Megan Melanson, was found to be impaired and was taken into custody at 2:42 a.m. near Alma School Road. She was booked into jail on charges of aggravated assault, driving under the influence, criminal damage endangerment and resisting arrest. 

DPS reminds drivers who are on the roads late at night or early in the morning to travel in the right-hand lane, staying away from HOV lanes where wrong-way drivers are frequently seen.