Impairment Suspected in Wrong Way Collision
***Updated*** by Captain Damon Cecil - April 8, 2016 1:45 p.m.
Daniel J. Bergstrom (35 years old) was booked into the Maricopa County Jail for Aggravated DUI, Endangerment and Criminal Damage. Bergstrom is suspected of being impaired by a substance(s) other than alcohol at the time of the collision.
Mesa, AZ - A male suspect goes wrong way on the State Route 202 at Val Vista, over-corrects and is struck by another vehicle. Miraculously no serious or life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses reported that around 4:30 p.m. a white passenger vehicle accelerated through a red light at Val Vista Road and the State Route 202 entering the freeway going wrong way. The driver then tried to make a u-turn in the middle of the freeway but over-corrected and instead went 360 degrees back the wrong way before being struck by another vehicle traveling in the correct direction. The victim only sustained minor to moderate non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
The driver of the wrong way vehicle is being investigated for possible impairment and criminal charges. Troopers had westbound SR 202 closed at Val Vista until about 9:00 p.m. as they conducted their investigation.
Sergeant Michael Hunt with the Arizona Department of Public Safety confirmed that the victim was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the collision, “which significantly reduced her injuries and potentially saved her life.”
Wrong Way Driving Statistics:
60% of wrong way drivers are impaired by alcohol.
Wrong way collisions are most common after dark and on weekends.
The majority of wrong way drivers in Arizona are between the ages of 16 to 35 years old and males.
