Serious After-School Accident in Tucson Outside Foothills Mall

Just after 3 pm on Friday afternoon, a severe traffic accident took place at one of the main entrances to the Foothills Mall in Northwest Tucson. The collision occurred just north of Ina Road on La Cholla Boulevard, and the situation snarled heavy, after-school traffic on all sides of the mall as crews worked desperately to free victims and clear the wreckage from the road. There were two vehicles smashed together, and a tan or brown pick-up truck parked just up the road which may have also been involved.

The two vehicles who were most involved in Friday's north side wreck were a white, newer-model pick-up truck (possibly a Dodge) and a large, white Toyota pick-up with a cap. From the wreckage, it appeared as though the white Toyota pick-up may have been traveling northbound on La Cholla, and was possibly attempting a left turn across the south bound lanes into the mall. The other pick-up truck may have been traveling in the south bound lanes, where it T-boned with the passenger side of the Toyota.

The force of the impact pushed the now-crumpled vehicles another 20 feet or so south on La Cholla from the point of impact. Both vehicles came to rest just inside the dual-lane, divided entrance to the Foothills Mall that lies between Ina Road, and the traffic light controlling the entrance near Chipotle.

The area where the Toyota is presumed to have been trying to turn, and where the pick-up slammed into them, is not controlled by a traffic light. The speed limit on La Cholla in this area is 45 mph, and the flow of traffic is moderate to heavy at this time of day. It is unclear at this point whether or not speed was a factor in this accident, or who was at fault.

Up to five fire trucks, six ambulance rigs and multiple police units raced to the scene, working quickly to extract victims, clear the wreckage and control traffic. Even with the best efforts of fire and rescue crews, and the use of the Jaws Of Life, it took more than fifteen minutes to remove the last victim, an occupant of the Toyota that took the impact.

A red back-board was brought to the passenger side of the Toyota, which was now a gaping hole from the use of the Jaws to pry the front of the other pick-up away from it for access. After several tense minutes and deft maneuvering by rescue crews, a stretcher was brought up to the side of the Toyota, and a person was gingerly removed and placed onto it. It appeared the victim was still alive, as life-saving measures were being taken.

IV fluids of some sort were being hooked up, and it looked as though the person had been intubated and was wearing a neck collar to prevent further possible spinal or neck injuries. Once actually on the stretcher, the victim was whisked away quickly to a waiting ambulance, which then departed the scene southbound on La Cholla.

Moments later, at least one more victim was loaded into another ambulance, and also left the scene. There appeared to be at least five people in a triage area on a grassy spot next to the scene, in addition to the person who was extracted last. Over two dozen fire, police and rescue personnel were assisting at the scene in various capacities, and by about 3:30 pm, all victims appeared to be receiving the medical care they needed, and the scene was being assessed further before clearing efforts began.

Update-5:45 pm: Other local news sources, such as KVOA 4, are now reporting up to seven people were taken to area hospitals, and that there were three, apparently unsecured children in the bed of the Toyota pick-up truck with the cap on it. The condition of the children is unknown, though one child could be seen milling about the triage scene, possibly ten years old or so, and he appeared to be OK. It is unknown if he was in the pick-up, or another vehicle involved, but he appeared to be attached to the scene in some manner.

Sources:

-On Scene Visuals

-Other Witness Accounts