Glendale, AZ (May 19, 2026) – A man was killed, and multiple others were injured on Monday afternoon in a chain-reaction crash involving several vehicles, including a box truck, in Glendale.
The crash occurred around 2:30 p.m., May 18, in the southbound lanes near 67th Avenue and Utopia Road. According to a city of Glendale spokesperson, the incident began when an elderly woman made an unsafe lane change, triggering a series of side-swipe collisions involving multiple vehicles.
Officials said the impact caused a box truck to lose control and cross into the opposite lanes of traffic. The truck then collided with two additional vehicles in oncoming traffic.
A man who was driving one of the vehicles struck by the box truck was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the only occupant in his vehicle. Two other drivers involved in the crash were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
No identities have been released. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the full sequence of events.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the victim.
How Chain-Reaction Crashes Escalate Quickly on Multi-Lane Roads
Multi-vehicle crashes often escalate rapidly when one minor traffic movement leads to a series of impacts. On multi-lane roadways, a single unsafe lane change can trigger side-swipe collisions that affect several nearby vehicles.
Large vehicles like box trucks can become difficult to control after an initial impact due to their weight and momentum. When they cross into opposing traffic, the risk of severe or fatal injuries increases significantly. Investigators typically analyze lane positions, impact points, and roadway design to understand how each collision contributed to the outcome. Traffic speed and spacing between vehicles are also key factors in these types of crashes.
