I-10 closed at Chandler Blvd.

[Sam]

For those who don't subscribe to our breaking news alerts on Facebook and Twitter:

Interstate 10 is currently closed in both directions due to a fire resulting from two tankers colliding near Chandler Blvd.  Westbound (north) traffic is being diverted at the Loop 202/Santan and eastbound traffic is being diverted at Ray Rd.

Those heading from Maricopa to Phoenix are advised to stay on 347 across I-10, onto Queen Creek and east to Price, then north to the 101.

There is currently no estimate when either direction will re-open.

[Chunk]

Meth?

[Desert Dweller]

I saw the plume of black smoke this morning as I rounded the curve at Wild Horse Pass.  Once I saw that it was in the direction of the freeway, I kept going down Queen Creek to I-10.  By the time I crossed the freeway, Detour Dan was reporting on the mess.

The last time we had a tanker fire, the tires burned but the contents in the tank didn't explode as they were well sealed and compartmentalized.  This time, it looks like the rear compartment in the tanker that was rear-ended ruptured and all hell broke loose.

I could still see the plume of smoke from Scottsdale Road and the 202.

[Rezongon]

Someone on the other maricopa site posted a youtube video taken from his dash cam (go to the main story, then look at the comments). Wow. Just awful.

Rezongon

[mallardisme]

There's another site?

[mallardisme]

Best ride home ever!

I knew about the crash, of course. I knew the coroner had just arrived at around 3pm. I decided to leave the office early, knowing traffic would be bad. I left at 3:20pm and entered the 10 at Baseline.

It was 80 all the way to 347.

Wow! What a wreck. I really feel for the dairy truck driver and his family. From reports from the KTAR traffic reporter, he was on fire and that was how his life was cut short in a very horrible way.

Ironically, this morning DPS was running a 'safe commute' operation and had DPS about every mile on the 10 starting from right where the collision occured. I can't help but wonder if their presence started a brake slamming event.

That does not change fault or what happened, but, I do wonder. 1 hour before I drove that and the first officer I saw was under the overpass directly next to the spot where this occured.

[Sam]

Eastbound I-10 is now open (obviously).  Westbound will remain closed at the Loop 202/Santan Fwy until 5:00 am tomorrow for road repair.

[Desert Dweller]

I did exactly the same thing as Mallard.  Sailed home on I-10 all the way from the 143.  Seeing that tanker to my left was unbelievable.  It's hard to imagine how hot it must have been in that fire.

[mallardisme]

The report from KTAR's eye in the sky was accurate and horrific.

He saw the plume start and was there very early.

I was speechless after hearing it, and I have seen many really graphic things in my life.

[JeniL]

I was about 5 cars behind the accident this morning and can tell you that way to many people CUT off Semi's and think that they can stop on a dime.   My heart goes out to the family's of both truck drivers. 

[Fritzydoodle]

Rick needs to go to the airport tonight at 11PM.
Where are the start / stop points to the road closure?  What's the best way to get to the 143 and back and avoid a major backup?

[Sam]

I would try taking the 10 north to the 202 east, then go yo Kyrene.  Exit, then get back on the 202 west and take that to 10 west (north).  Coming back, everything should be normal.

[mallardisme]

At 3pm. the WB backup started between 347 and Wildhorse pass, which was actually pretty good.

A jump over to Price and a drive back to I-10 did not seem like a bad drive, especially at night.

The 10 moves, but I would avoid it before the 202.

[Sam]

It shouldn't be thar bad by 11:00 pm.

[RogueRyder]

You should be able to take Wild horse over to 54th or what ever that is by the Truck stop, north to Chandler and get back on.

My dad now drives a fuel tanker truck here in PHX and I was a bit nervous when I saw the smoke before the news stories this morning. Horrible that the dairy driver died, his load was fairly safe, But those dairy drivers do tend to get on it up and down the 347. Hopefully this is a wake up call to his co workers. While their trucks are fast, inertia always wins with a loaded truck.