Dust Storm — South Central Pinal County, Arizona

2011-08-25 · South Central Pinal County, Arizona

Event narrative

A fiery ten vehicle accident killed an infant and closed westbound lanes of Interstate 10 near Red Rock. The cause of the accident was zero visibility due to a dust storm. The infant was in a car seat in the backseat of a car that apparently slowed down when it entered the dust and was struck in the rear by a semi-tractor trailer. The driver also received serious injuries and an older child who was a passenger received minor injuries. Both were transported to the hospital. Westbound lanes remained closed for several hours following the accident.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorm winds produced an area of blowing dust across southern Pinal County that resulted in a deadly traffic accident.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 343974. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.