Pickup Truck Strikes Stopped Vehicles on SR 143
A secondary collision occurred on the Phoenix freeway after vehicles stopped following an initial crash.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Car Types
A pickup truck crashed into multiple vehicles stopped on southbound SR 143 near Sky Harbor Airport early Tuesday. The accident followed an earlier collision that had already left vehicles disabled on the roadway.
Why it matters
The multi-vehicle accident highlights the risks of secondary collisions on busy urban freeways. Such incidents often occur when drivers encounter stopped traffic in travel lanes after a previous wreck.
The crashes resulted in 3 vehicles sustaining damage across the two related incidents. No serious injuries were reported by officials following the collisions on the freeway.
The details
A pickup truck swerved to avoid a vehicle on the shoulder before striking a car in the middle of the freeway. The impact of this second collision pushed the truck into a third vehicle located on the shoulder.
Timeline
The crashes occurred on October 20, 2026.
The initial collision took place before 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Roadmap
Secondary collisions are a significant concern for highway safety as traffic density increases on urban corridors like SR 143. These events underscore the challenges of clearing disabled vehicles before they become hazards to oncoming commuters.
Commuters should remain vigilant for stopped traffic when passing through the Sky Harbor Airport area on SR 143. Drivers involved in minor accidents are encouraged to move vehicles to the shoulder immediately to avoid secondary impacts.
The takeaway
Drivers should always prioritize moving disabled vehicles to the shoulder to prevent chain-reaction accidents. Maintaining a safe distance from stopped traffic is the most effective way to avoid becoming involved in a secondary collision.
Further reading
For more information on automotive safety and collision trends, visit Car Types.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZfamily.
