Arizona Department of Public Safety investigators at the scene of a fatal three-vehicle collision on eastbound US 60 near Higley Road in Mesa. A 21-year-old Queen Creek man was later arrested in connection with the crash. Source: AZDPS

21-Year-Old Arrested After Fatal US 60 Crash Near Higley Road

By Ciara Perez, Senior Multimedia Correspondent

_____

MESA, Ariz. — A 21-year-old Queen Creek man has been arrested following a deadly three-vehicle crash on the US 60 in Mesa that left one person dead and two others seriously injured.

The crash happened around 1:01 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, on eastbound US 60 near milepost 187 at Higley Road, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Investigators say a vehicle had experienced a flat tire, prompting the driver to pull onto the right emergency shoulder. Family members later arrived to help change the tire.

After the tire change was completed, the family was preparing to leave when an eastbound vehicle struck the two vehicles stopped on the shoulder, according to AZDPS.

One person was killed in the collision. Two others suffered critical and serious injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment.

AZDPS identified the driver who allegedly struck the stopped vehicles as 21-year-old Zachary Robert Penrod of Queen Creek.

Authorities said Penrod showed signs of impairment following the crash.

Penrod was later booked into the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Jail on one count of manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of endangerment.

The charges are allegations, and Penrod is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The AZDPS Vehicular Crimes Unit continues to investigate the collision.

Source: AZDPS

_____

Stay Connected with iSkyNews.com

Follow iSkyNews.com for breaking news, public safety updates, developing stories, severe weather, and community alerts across Florida and Arizona.

📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@iskynews

💬 Have a News Tip or See Something We Missed?
Have photos, video, breaking news information, additional details, or notice something that needs correcting? We want to hear from you.

📧 Email: support@iskynews.com

Your tips help us keep our communities informed.

© 2026 iSkyNews.com. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, copying, republishing, or redistribution of this content without permission is prohibited.