A chain-reaction collision involving at least nine vehicles on Interstate 40 near Williams sent several people to the hospital Monday morning and caused a complete shutdown of the eastbound lanes for more than five hours. The Arizona Department of Public Safety confirmed that the pileup occurred around 6:45 a.m. near mile marker 163 when a commercial truck jackknifed on a patch of black ice, triggering a series of rear-end collisions in the foggy, pre-dawn conditions.
First responders from the Williams Fire Department, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and Arizona DPS arrived on scene within minutes to find a chaotic stretch of highway with vehicles scattered across both eastbound lanes and the shoulder. Fire Chief Tony Reyes told reporters that the initial assessment revealed at least 14 people involved in the incident, with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Three individuals were transported by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center, and one patient with critical injuries was airlifted to Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix.
Among those transported was a family of four from Prescott who had been traveling to Flagstaff for a medical appointment. The driver, identified as 42-year-old Maria Santos, sustained a broken collarbone and lacerations when her SUV was struck from behind by a delivery van. Her three children, ages 8, 11, and 14, were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released. “It happened so fast,” Santos told The Grand Canyon Gazette from her hospital room. “One second we were driving, and the next second the whole world just crashed around us.”
The commercial truck driver, a 56-year-old man from Albuquerque whose name has not been released, was evaluated at the scene and did not require hospitalization. DPS Trooper Sergeant Carla Mitchell said investigators are reviewing the circumstances of the initial jackknife incident, including whether the truck was traveling at an appropriate speed for conditions. “Black ice is extremely treacherous, especially in the early morning hours when temperatures are near freezing,” Mitchell explained during a press conference.
The closure of eastbound I-40 created significant traffic delays throughout the morning, with backups stretching more than eight miles west of Williams. ADOT activated detour routes through downtown Williams, but the sudden influx of traffic overwhelmed the small town’s local streets. Williams Police Chief Daniel Ortega coordinated with ADOT to deploy traffic control officers at key intersections to manage the flow. Westbound lanes remained open but slowed to a crawl as drivers navigated past the accident scene.
Local businesses in Williams felt the ripple effects of the closure. The Pine Country Restaurant on Historic Route 66 saw an unexpected surge of stranded motorists seeking coffee and warmth. Owner Jennifer Kowalski said her staff rose to the occasion, serving dozens of travelers who had been diverted off the interstate. “That’s what small towns do,” Kowalski said. “When something like this happens, you just open your doors and help however you can.”
ADOT maintenance crews worked throughout the morning to treat the affected stretch of highway with sand and de-icing agents. Engineers also inspected the roadway for damage caused by the heavy commercial truck. By 12:15 p.m., one eastbound lane was reopened, and full traffic flow was restored by 2 p.m. However, DPS officials warned that icy conditions could return overnight and urged drivers to reduce speeds and increase following distances when traveling through the high-elevation corridor between Williams and Flagstaff.
This incident marks the third significant multi-vehicle accident on I-40 in the Williams area this winter season, prompting renewed calls from local officials for additional safety measures along the corridor. Williams Mayor Karen Blumenthal said she plans to formally request that ADOT install additional electronic warning signs and increase winter maintenance patrols between Ash Fork and Flagstaff. An updated condition report will be provided by DPS this evening.
