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Deadly crash blocks traffic, light rail near 40th and Washington streets

Posted at 8:35 AM, Mar 30, 2021
and last updated 2021-03-31 14:09:42-04

PHOENIX — Police say a deadly crash blocked traffic near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Tuesday morning.

The crash happened near 40th and Washington streets around 6:30 a.m.

According to police, witnesses reported seeing a man, later identified as 28-year-old Austin B. Clark, run a red light and hit another vehicle.

Austin Clark

That driver, 40-year-old Madalena Mendonca, was taken to the hospital but did not survive. Police say there was a 19-year-old female passenger in her vehicle, and she remains in critical condition.

The initial crash then caused one of the vehicles to hit a pedestrian who was trying to cross the road at the time. That pedestrian, a 64-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital and has non-life-threatening injuries.

The wreck also blocked a portion of the light rail tracks, forcing Valley Metro to begin a bus bridge to transport passengers.

Police say Clark was arrested and booked for manslaughter, endangerment, and aggravated assault.