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Multiple Valley accidents claim 7 lives in 24-hour period


Last Update: 9/08/2008 10:50 am
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The Department of Public Safety investigating several fatal accidents within a 24-hour period.
 
Altogether, officials said seven people lost their lives on our roadways.
 
The accidents stretch as far west as Tonopah and as far east as Gilbert. 
 
The most recent happening in Tonopah. 
 
That's where DPS says the driver of a tractor trailer loses control. 
 
DPS said his trailer crossed several lanes of traffic, only to have two vehicles hit it. 
 
One of those vehicles was a red SUV.  It's female passenger, 50-year-old Deborah O'Shaughnessey, was partially ejected and died at the scene. 
 
The other two passengers were taken to a local hospital.
 
Officers said a sports car, driven by 31-year-old Matthew Bachrad, also hit the trailer.  He as well died at the scene.
 
But the fatalities don't stop there. 
 
Along the loop 202 and Mesa, authorities say several cars may have been racing one another Saturday.  One of those cars lost control and rolled.  In that accident 20-year-old Thomas Verdone was killed.
 
And across town, near the loop 202 and Gilbert, a 19-year-old female died when the car she was a passenger in was struck from behind. 
 
In that case the driver of the car who hit them leaves the scene of the accident, only to return to turn himself in.  This is the only accident authorities believe alcohol played a factor in.
 
DPS said all of these accident should serve as warnings to drivers to wear seatbelts, get plenty of rest, avoid distractions, and most importantly -- don't drive drunk.



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