Six people lost their lives in a massive, 25 car crash on I-10, near the Arizona-New Mexico border yesterday. Law enforcement officials say winds and a dust storm quickly blew in on westbound I-10 near Lordsburg, New Mexico, around 5 p.m.

The pileup included 18 commercial trucks and seven passenger cars.

Dry, open desert surrounds many stretches of Arizona highways. High winds and developing summer thunderstorms can stir up the dust and create hazardous driving conditions.

Arizona state officials including the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ DPS) have compiled a list of tips for dealing with a dust storm while driving.

According to their site, “Pullasidestayalive.org“*

  • Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
  • If you encounter a dust storm, immediately check traffic around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
  • Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
  • Do not stop in a travel lane or the emergency lane. Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
  • Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers. You do not want other vehicles approaching from behind to use your lights as a guide, possibly crashing into your parked car.
  • Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
  • Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
  • Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.

It helps to be aware of the weather conditions when you are traveling, especially during the summer months. The Monsoon season hits during July and August, a prime time for dust storms.

If you have been injured in a crash on I-10, contact our office for a free case consultation. We have experience in litigating these types of cases. We can help you decide if you should pursue legal action.

*The information listed above was taken directly from the “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” website promoted by the State of Arizona. This information was not created by the Leader Law Firm.