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PHOENIX, Maricopa County, Ariz., Sept. 18, 2026 — One person died and two others were seriously hurt early Wednesday morning, September 16, in a three-vehicle crash on eastbound US 60 near Higley Road in Mesa, according to state troopers. A driver was arrested afterward on manslaughter and other felony charges.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, one vehicle had pulled onto the shoulder earlier for a flat tire, and family members had stopped to help change it. As the group prepared to leave, authorities said a vehicle driven by a 21-year-old Queen Creek man struck both vehicles on the shoulder.
Troopers responded to the scene about 1 a.m. One person was pronounced dead at the site of the crash. Two others were taken to a hospital with injuries described as serious.
The driver, identified by authorities as Zachary Robert Penrod, was treated for what were described as minor injuries. He was then booked into jail on charges including manslaughter, aggravated assault with a dangerous instrument and endangerment.
The freeway was shut down for several hours in the area while investigators processed the scene and crews cleared the wreckage.
The investigation remains active. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died, ans we wish those injured a full recovery.
What Helps Prevent Roadside and Shoulder Crashes on Highways Like US 60
Crashes involving vehicles stopped on the shoulder often trace back to how little separation exists between moving traffic and a parked car at highway speed. Rumble strips along the shoulder line, wider paved shoulders and better lighting near merge points all give drivers more warning and more room to react before a stopped vehicle becomes an obstacle. Some states have also expanded "move over" enforcement and added electronic signs that warn of stalled vehicles ahead, which can cut down on last-second, high-speed contact.
Behavior matters just as much as design. Drowsy, distracted or impaired driving narrows the time a driver has to notice a car on the shoulder and adjust. Because highway approach speeds are high and reaction windows are short, even a small delay in noticing a hazard can turn a routine roadside stop into a multi-vehicle collision.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 37,654 fatal traffic crashes occurred in 2023. Engineering fixes such as median barriers, better sightlines and improved shoulder design tend to work alongside enforcement and driver awareness campaigns instead of replacing them, which is why most states pursue several of these approaches at once rather than any single fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common in car accidents like this one?
Multi-vehicle highway crashes often cause head, neck and chest injuries, along with broken bones, from the force of impact at highway speed. Severity typically depends on where and how hard vehicles are struck.
What are the most common causes of highway crashes involving stopped vehicles?
Speeding, distraction, drowsiness and impaired driving are frequent factors, since each reduces the time a driver has to notice and react to a hazard ahead.
How does speed affect the severity of a crash?
Higher speeds increase both the force of impact and the distance needed to stop or swerve. Even a modest increase in speed can turn a survivable crash into a fatal one.
Why is distracted driving particularly dangerous on highways?
At highway speeds, a vehicle can travel the length of a football field in the few seconds it takes to glance at a phone, leaving little time to notice traffic slowing or stopped ahead.
What to Do After a Highway Crash in Mesa, AZ
If you're involved in or witness a highway crash in Mesa, move to a safe location away from traffic if possible and call 911 right away. Even injuries that seem minor at first, like whiplash or soreness, can worsen over the following days, so a medical evaluation is worth getting even if you feel fine at the scene.
Cooperate with responding troopers and provide an accurate account of what you saw or experienced, but avoid speculating about cause. If your vehicle is towed or the roadway is closed for investigation, ask officers how to retrieve your belongings and where to find the official crash report once it's filed. Keeping records of medical visits and any communication with insurers can help later, regardless of how the investigation concludes.
