Driver Makes Remarkable Escape After Crashing Vehicle and Being Swept Away in Floodwaters | Arizona Department of Public Safety
Skip to main content
Arizona Department of Public Safety Logo
Arizona Department of Public Safety
ARIZONA STATE TROOPERS

Main menu

  • Home
  • The Colonel
    • Command Staff
    • Fallen Troopers
    • Organization
      • Office of the Director
      • Agency Support Division
      • Criminal Investigations Division
      • Highway Patrol Division
      • Technical Services Division
      • Major Incidents Division
      • Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Taskforce (Division)
  • Services
    • Public Services
      • Public Services Center
        • Claim Personal Property
        • Concealed Weapons & Permits
        • Courts and Traffic Ticket Information
        • File a Commendation
        • Household Goods Enforcement
        • Missing Children Search
        • Sex Offender Compliance
        • Tow Truck Application
      • Public Services Portal
        • Fingerprint Clearance Card
        • Licensing
        • Records Request
    • Enforcement Services
      • Chaplaincy Program
      • Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
      • DUI Enforcement
      • GIITEM
      • Impaired Driving
      • Move Over Law
      • Scrap Metal Theft Database
      • Student Transportation
      • WANTED Fugitive Tips
    • Governmental Services
      • ADRS
      • ADOT
      • AFIS
      • Crime Laboratory
        • Simplified Laboratory Reports
        • Quality Assurance
        • Blood Alcohol
        • Toxicology
        • Controlled Substances
        • Latent Prints
        • Firearms/Toolmarks
        • Trace Evidence
        • Questioned Documents
        • DNA Scientific Services
        • Field Services
        • Property and Evidence
      • Crime Victim Services
      • NCJ
      • Tow Program
      • SWIC
  • Department Information
    • Boards & Councils
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
      • Retirement Board Meetings
    • Commitments
      • Accessibility
      • Mission Statement
      • Values
    • History
    • Insignia
    • Reports & Publications
      • Budget Request
      • Holiday Enforcement Figures
      • Strategic Plans
    • Request Records
  • Careers
    • Become a Trooper
    • Become a Trooper Trainee
    • Become a Dispatcher
    • Civilian Careers
    • Benefits
    • DPS Jobs & Descriptions
    • Job Interest Card
    • Job Openings
    • Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
    • Volunteer
    • Selection Guidelines
  • News
    • AZDPS News
    • Digest Blog
    • AZDPS Alerts System
      • Amber Alerts
      • Blue Alerts
      • Silver Alerts
    • Public Announcements
      • Retirement Board Meetings
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
        • Decisions
        • Meeting Agendas
    • Public Affairs Unit
  • Safety
    • AZDPS Alert System
    • Safety Messages
      • Aggressive Driving
      • Driver Fatigue
      • Drop House Awareness
      • Freeway Camera & Road Conditions
      • Impaired Driving
      • Motorcycles
      • Move Over Law
      • Precursor Chemicals
      • Seat Belt Safety
      • Share The Road
      • What to Do and Expect When Pulled Over by Law Enforcement
      • Weather Safety Tips
    • Task Forces
      • Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (AVTTF)
      • Arizona WANTED Task Force
    • Special Programs
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Driver Makes Remarkable Escape After Crashing Vehicle and Being Swept Away in Floodwaters

Subscribe to the Digest Blog

subscribe to Digest Blog

Driver Makes Remarkable Escape After Crashing Vehicle and Being Swept Away in Floodwaters

On the night of Saturday, July 24, 2021, Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) troopers and Rincon Valley Fire District responded to a single-vehicle collision on eastbound Interstate 10 at milepost 282 in Vail. The driver of a Honda Civic lost control of her vehicle in a heavy rainstorm, causing the car to strike a fence before jumping a culvert. The vehicle landed on the other side of a wash and rolled before hitting a tree, coming to rest on its passenger side and catching fire.

Realizing the vehicle was on fire, the driver managed to climb out on top of the car through the driver’s side door. She then jumped down, landing in a fast-moving wash she hadn’t seen flowing beside the vehicle. The rushing water swept her into a concrete culvert and under the interstate, carrying her about 300 yards until she was able to grab hold of a tree branch.

After struggling for 10 to 15 minutes, she was finally able to pull herself out of the water and begin walking towards the interstate. A good Samaritan gave her a ride back to the crash scene, where she was medically evaluated and, fortunately, was found to have only minor injuries.

While this is a remarkable story of survival, it’s also a great example of why troopers advise motorists to slow down in wet weather. Just a small amount of water on the road is all it takes to make a vehicle hydroplane.

With more monsoon weather in the forecast for Arizona this week, please take time to prepare your vehicle, use caution on the road, and always buckle up!

car crash wet weathercar crash wet weathercar crash wet weather

Arizona State Seal
Location Information
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2222 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Find in Google Maps
Phone: 602.223.2000
Map Image

Copyright © Arizona Department of Public Safety – All rights reserved.

  • Contact Us
  • Statewide Policies
  • GOVERNOR'S REGULATORY REVIEW COUNCIL
  • Notice of Title VI Program Rights
  • Social Media User Policy
  • Website Accessibility
  • Website Supported by CSU