PEORIA, AZ — Nine people have been injured in a crash involving a side-by-side vehicle (UTV) and a truck north of Lake Pleasant.
At around 2 p.m. Sunday, emergency crews were called to Castle Hot Springs and Cow Creek roads for a serious crash.
Peoria Police and Peoria Fire-Medical responded to the scene. Helicopters have been requested to help get patients to hospitals.
The UTV was occupied by seven individuals, including a teenage driver, two adults, and multiple other teenagers. Peoria Fire says those individuals range in age from 16 to 18.
Additionally, authorities say that during the crash, some of the occupants were not properly seated within the vehicle.
The pickup truck was occupied by two adults.
Four patients were taken to a hospital in critical condition. Three others are said to be in serious condition, while two others were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.
According to a preliminary investigation, Peoria police believe the UTV was traveling northbound while a pickup truck was traveling southbound when the head-on crash occurred.
Investigators believe reduced visibility due to dust in the area may have been a factor in the crash.
No other details have been provided.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
