A serious multi-vehicle crash closed eastbound Interstate 10 near Loop 202 in west Phoenix around noon Friday, officials said. The Arizona Department of Transportation reported the closure was due to a collision involving a black SUV that struck a large pole, and state troopers are investigating the incident.
The crash involved a black SUV that collided with a large pole along eastbound Interstate 10 near 35th Avenue, close to the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway interchange in west Phoenix, according to traffic camera footage and reports from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed that state troopers are investigating the circumstances of the collision but had not released information on the number of people involved or the extent of injuries at the time of their initial statement.
Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate the driver from the vehicle, who was then transported by ambulance, officials said.
The crash prompted a full closure of the eastbound lanes of I-10 near the Loop 202 interchange, causing significant delays and traffic backups through the West Valley, particularly around Estrella Village and Tolleson, ADOT reported. Westbound lanes remained open, allowing traffic to flow in the opposite direction. Motorists were advised to use alternate routes, with many diverting onto local surface streets and regional freeways such as Loop 101. ADOT’s traffic alerts also warned drivers approaching eastbound I-10 from the West Valley to expect extended delays.
This incident is part of a series of serious crashes that have affected the I-10 and Loop 202 corridors in the Phoenix metropolitan area in recent months. On Dec. 12, ADOT reported a separate closure of eastbound I-10 near southbound Loop 202 at approximately 7:19 p.m., though details on injuries or cause were not immediately available. Earlier that day, a deadly motorcycle crash near 67th Avenue and Loop 202 South Mountain led to another eastbound I-10 shutdown, with traffic diverted accordingly. DPS records show that the motorcyclist died after rear-ending a car just before 5:30 a.m. The eastbound lanes were later reopened following the investigation.
Other incidents in the area have included a hit-and-run crash on eastbound I-10 near 67th Avenue on Dec. 12, which left at least one person seriously injured, and a fiery rollover crash on the eastbound I-10 to eastbound Loop 202 Santan off-ramp in early December. Phoenix Fire Department crews quickly extinguished the vehicle fire in the rollover, preventing further damage to the ramp structure. DPS also reported a fatal crash on Oct. 20 near the eastbound I-10 and Loop 202 interchange, underscoring the frequency and severity of collisions in this corridor.
Traffic management during these incidents typically involves closing affected eastbound lanes while maintaining westbound flow. ADOT frequently directs motorists to real-time highway condition updates through its AZ511 information platform, which provides details on closures, estimated reopening times, and alternate routes. For example, during prior eastbound I-10 closures near Loop 202, traffic reporters recommended exiting I-10 by 75th Avenue and using surface streets or Loop 202 South Mountain and Interstate 17 to reach downtown Phoenix.
The I-10 and Loop 202 interchange area has seen a pattern of multi-vehicle crashes, motorcycle collisions, and vehicle fires that have led to repeated eastbound lane closures and significant commuter disruptions. ADOT and DPS remain the primary sources for official information regarding these incidents, ongoing investigations, and traffic control measures. No estimated time for reopening the eastbound lanes was provided at the time of the latest crash near 35th Avenue, and authorities continue to monitor conditions and work to clear the scene.
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