Tonopah, AZ - A devastating crash on Sunday morning left three people dead and three others injured on eastbound Interstate 10 near Tonopah. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) has reported that the freeway has since reopened after being closed for several hours.

The incident occurred just after 4:30 a.m. when a Toyota Highlander, allegedly traveling at a high speed, collided with two individuals who were outside their Nissan Frontier pickup. Bart Graves, spokesperson for the DPS, described the tragic event, stating, "This Highlander slammed into those two people as they were outside the vehicle and slammed into the vehicle itself."

The passenger of the Nissan Frontier was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver was airlifted to a hospital in Phoenix. The Toyota Highlander was occupied by four individuals at the time of the collision, including a 16-year-old. Both the driver and passenger of the Highlander lost their lives at the scene, while the remaining two passengers were also flown to a hospital in the Valley. The current condition of the surviving passengers is unknown at this time.

The crash resulted in a total of three fatalities and three individuals being transported to Phoenix area hospitals for medical treatment. The exact details of the injuries sustained by the survivors have not been disclosed.

Following the incident, eastbound I-10 was closed for several hours to allow for investigation and cleanup. However, the freeway has now been reopened to traffic as of just before 11 a.m., allowing motorists to resume their journeys.

The DPS is continuing its investigation into the crash, with deputies working to determine the events leading up to the collision and any contributing factors. Further updates and details regarding the crash are anticipated to be released as the investigation progresses.

The names and identities of the individuals involved in the crash have not been released at this time.

As this tragic accident reiterates the importance of safe driving and vigilance on the road, authorities urge all motorists to remain cautious, abide by speed limits, and be mindful of their surroundings.