Phoenix Police Department told reporters of AZFamily.com that a semi-truck accident happened at approximately 4:00 p.m. The semi-truck was travelling westbound on West Buckeye Road and strayed out of its lane into the eastbound lanes directly into the path of an eastbound pickup truck near 71st Avenue. The pickup, driven by Roberto Manriquez Jr.,25, was carrying him and his family. Both Manriquez and his daughter, Alexandria Mendez, 8, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Also in the vehicle at the time of the crash were a 28-year-old woman and her 3-year-old son. Both the woman and her son were ejected from the vehicle during the crash. They are listed in critical condition but are expected to survive. Authorities have not yet released their names.
The driver of the semi-truck was examined at the scene and told police said that mechanical failure was the cause of the crash. So far, investigators don’t believe that impairment was involved. However, it is yet to be determined whether or not driver distraction may have caused the fatal crash.
Police reported that there was a second pickup truck involved in the accident, however, no one in the vehicle reported any injuries. Due to the complexity of the crash, it is still currently under investigation.
While it is possible that mechanical failure can cause a commercial trucking accident, driver distraction is a far more likely cause. And even in cases of mechanical failure, there is a possibility for receiving compensation if the failure was due to negligence. We hope that the Marinquez family is able to get the compensation they deserve after this horrific accident.
