AZ State Route 179 accident at I-17 photo exclusive property of SedonaEye.com

Sedona AZ (June 8, 2012) – Breaking news story! Exclusive photographs! An eighteen wheel tractor trailer and a SUV were involved in a crash at the intersection of Arizona Interstate I-17 southbound off-ramp (Sedona exit) on State Route 179 at approximately 2 PM this afternoon. *SEE UPDATED ACCIDENT INFORMATION BELOW

Montezuma-Rimrock Fire Department Instant Commander, Bonnie Reay, a firefighter who assumed command when the distress call came into MRFD after emergency equipment  was dispatched, provides the following accident update to the SedonaEye.com news at 4:30 PM today:

“An emergency call came into the Montezuma-Rimrock Fire Department at 13.30 PM and emergency crews were dispatched to the scene at Arizona State Route 179, under the Interstate 17 overpass.

A tractor trailer failed to negotiate the exit ramp stop sign and proceeded onto State Route 179. A SUV traveling north on State Route 179 toward Sedona T-boned the tractor trailer as it crossed in front of its path.

Six occupants of the SUV (a family of five and one friend) rolled down the embankment before coming to a stop. The entire front end of the SUV had been sheared off and strewn about the highway. Rescue personnel found all occupants of the vehicle had survived the impact and also had removed themselves from the SUV. Every occupant of the SUV had been properly seat-belted and most appeared to have only minor injuries, including the front seat passengers and woman driver.

Four of the six were transported to the Flagstaff hospital for examination by Montezuma-Rimrock FD, Sedona FD, and Camp Verde FD ambulances. The two children passengers in the SUV rode in ambulances to the Flagstaff Arizona hospital although not as patients.

The Department of Public Services was active on the crash scene.

The tractor trailer driver cited failed brakes as cause for his failure to stop, and charges are pending against him. No other cars were involved in the accident.”

AZ State Route 179 and I-17 accident exclusive photo of SedonaEye.com

Prior story: Southbound SR 179 traffic is delayed over a mile as of 2:00 PM. Two Montezuma-Rimrock Fire engines, two ambulances, three highway patrol cars were observed at the crash site at 2:00 PM along with the Montezuma-Rimrock Fire Marshal car. Eyewitnesses were unable to provide further details at this time.

Paramedics were observed treating injured underneath a tent near the crash scene. It is unknown at this time if there are fatalities or the full details of the accident. Follow SedonaEye.com for updates to this story. Photographs are the sole property of Sedona Eye LLC and Sedona Times Publishing LLC and use of the photographs is prohibited.

For the best Sedona Arizona News and Views? Subscribe to www.SedonaEye.com today.