Phoenix, AZ (March 10, 2025) – A tragic chain-reaction crash on Loop 202 early Sunday morning claimed the life of a good Samaritan who stopped to help at the scene of an accident.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the incident began around 5:20 a.m. on March 9 when the driver of a Dodge Durango lost control and crashed into a median wall near 40th Street. The vehicle spun to a stop facing the wrong way in the center lane. The driver then fled the scene before authorities arrived.
Seeing the crash, 51-year-old Catherine King of Mesa pulled over onto the emergency shoulder, turned on her hazard lights, and got out to check on the driver. Moments later, another motorist swerved to avoid the abandoned Durango and struck King. She was transported to a hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
The driver who struck King sustained injuries and was also taken to the hospital. Investigators have not ruled out impairment in that driver’s case.
Additional Collisions Follow
The initial crash triggered multiple additional collisions:
- A tire from the Durango flew into the eastbound lanes, causing a non-injury accident.
- Another vehicle struck the abandoned Durango, though the driver was unharmed.
- A three-car collision occurred shortly after, with no reported injuries. One of the drivers was arrested for DUI.
Authorities closed westbound lanes of Loop 202 for approximately six hours before reopening the roadway.
Officials have not yet determined what caused the Durango driver to lose control before fleeing the scene. DPS continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
Our thoughts are with Catherine King’s loved ones during this difficult time.