Serious injuries, roadside brush fire caused by I‑17 accident
by Ambria Hammel

NEW RIVER – The Arizona Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash of a pickup truck towing a travel trailer on I‑17 that caused a brush fire and sent two victims to the hospital with serious injuries.

The accident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. May 21 on northbound I‑17, two miles north of Table Mesa Road. According to DPS Detective Tim Mason, Lauren Pidgeon was traveling with his wife, Candice, in a 2005 GMC pickup and noticed his 30‑foot toy hauler starting to sway. The truck and trailer drifted onto the shoulder and Pidgeon overcorrected, causing the rig to swerve left into the median.

At that point the trailer broke away and rolled over onto the right shoulder where it burst into flames, fueled by two propane tanks inside. The fire spread across 200 yards of surrounding brush.

Neither occupant was burned, but both were airlifted to John C. Lincoln‑North Mountain Trauma Center in Phoenix. The driver, who sustained a broken leg and other minor injuries, is listed in fair condition. The passenger sustained a head injury, as well as multi‑system trauma, and is listed in serious condition. Capt. Dennis Tyrrell, spokesperson for the Daisy Mountain Fire Department, said it appeared neither occupant was wearing a seat belt.

I‑17 was completely shut down for approximately 35 to 40 minutes while crews put out the trailer fire, causing a one‑and‑a‑half‑mile backup. The high‑speed lane was then opened to traffic while firefighters attended the brush fire. The interstate was completely reopened by 8:50 p.m.

Reach the reporter at ambria@thedesertadvocate.com.