Witnesses Say Phoenix Red Light Crash Killed One Man, Injured Two Others in 7-Vehicle Collision Near 27th Avenue

PHOENIX, AZ — A man died and two other adults were hurt in a seven-vehicle crash in Phoenix on June 9, according to police. Investigators say the wreck happened just before 11:45 a.m. near 27th Avenue and Indian School Road after a driver allegedly ran a red light.

Police identified the suspect as 48-year-old Lee Arthur Simmons Jr. Video from the scene showed officers detaining him after the collision.

How the crash unfolded

Phoenix police say Simmons was going about 96 mph before he entered the intersection against a red signal and hit two vehicles. The force of the impact pushed those cars into the intersection, where they were struck by additional vehicles.

Officials said the chain-reaction crash involved seven vehicles in all. One of the people injured was a pedestrian who was in the crosswalk when the collision happened.

Victim was pronounced dead

Emergency crews found one adult male in critical condition when they arrived, according to police. He was taken to a nearby hospital by the Phoenix Fire Department and later died.

Authorities identified the man as 60-year-old Richard Lovato. Two other adults were also hospitalized with injuries that police described as non-life-threatening.

Witnesses describe the scene

People who saw the wreck said the intersection turned chaotic in an instant. One witness said several cars had the green light when the crash happened and that the red-light driver hit multiple vehicles.

Another witness said he stopped to help the victim and tried to provide CPR before first responders arrived. Police said the pedestrian in the crosswalk was among those taken to the hospital.

Murder and DUI charges

Investigators believe Simmons was impaired at the time of the crash, and the county attorney’s office described him in court as a danger to the community. He is facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder and driving under the influence.

Records cited by police show Simmons previously served 10 years in prison for aggravated DUI and also had convictions tied to kidnapping, attempted theft and burglary. He is being held on a $1 million bond while the investigation continues.

TNSO covers California, Nevada, and Arizona as the story unfolds.