Marana, AZ (March 28, 2026) – Two people died in a wrong-way crash on an Arizona I-10 frontage Road between Tangerine Road and Avra Valley Road in Marana.
Emergency units responded to the collision at about 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25. Investigators said a Jeep Liberty was traveling northwest along the frontage road while a Honda Civic was moving southeast in the same lane.
The vehicles collided head-on, causing heavy damage to both cars. Officials reported that five people were involved in the crash.
Authorities said a 17-year-old girl and 48-year-old Nora Saldana died at the scene. Information about the conditions of the other people involved has not been released.
Officials reported that neither driver showed signs of impairment. Additional details about how the vehicles entered the same lane have not been provided.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available. Our sincere condolences go out to the victim’s loved ones.
How Wrong-Way Crashes Can Occur on Frontage Roads
Frontage roads run alongside major highways and provide access to nearby streets, businesses, and neighborhoods. Because they connect with several intersections and entry points, drivers may sometimes enter the roadway from the wrong direction.
Confusing road layouts, poor lighting, or missed traffic signs can increase the chance of a driver traveling the wrong way. These issues may occur more often at night, when visibility is reduced.
Wrong-way crashes often involve vehicles traveling directly toward each other. When this happens at normal driving speeds, the impact forces can be severe due to the combined motion of both vehicles.
Traffic design features such as clear signage, lane markings, and lighting can help guide drivers. However, when a driver mistakenly travels in the wrong direction, other motorists may have very little time to react before a collision occurs.
