PHOENIX — Two people are dead, including a suspected drunk driver, after a crash near 75th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road overnight.
The collision occurred around 11:30 p.m. Thursday and involved two vehicles.
Phoenix police officials say it started when an officer conducted a traffic stop near 59th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.
The officer made contact with the driver, identified as 40-year-old Ruben Almanza, who showed signs of impairment.
Police say after several minutes, Almanza drove off at a high rate of speed. The officer did not follow the driver, but provided a vehicle description and direction of travel to other units in the area.
A short time later, a crash was reported in the area of 75th Avenue.
Almanza’s vehicle was identified as one of the two involved vehicles. He was taken to a hospital where he died.
The driver of the other vehicle that was struck, identified as 35-year-old Melvina Jones, died at the scene.
A preliminary investigation by Phoenix police indicates Almanza was traveling westbound on Lower Buckeye Road when his vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and hit the vehicle being driven by Jones, which was eastbound.
The investigation remains ongoing.
