Mesa, Arizona — An 82-year-old grandmother was killed and two relatives were critically injured after a suspected impaired driver crashed into vehicles stopped on the shoulder of a freeway while the family was changing a tire.
Ruth Acuña de Valenzuela died in the three-vehicle collision on U.S. Route 60 in Mesa around 1 a.m. on Sept. 16, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The family had pulled over after a vehicle suffered a tire failure and relatives had arrived to help.
Authorities said the preliminary investigation indicates the family was preparing to leave when another vehicle slammed into the vehicles stopped on the emergency shoulder.
Family Was Changing a Tire When Crash Happened
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, a vehicle experienced a tire failure and pulled onto the right emergency shoulder of U.S. Route 60.
Family members then arrived to help with the tire change. The tire had reportedly been replaced, and the relatives were preparing to leave when the collision occurred.
“After completing the tire change, the family was preparing to leave when a vehicle collided with the two vehicles stopped on the shoulder,” the AZDPS said.
The impact involved three vehicles and left two of Ruth’s relatives critically injured. Both injured people were transported to a hospital for treatment.
Suspected Impaired Driver Arrested at Scene
Authorities identified the driver who allegedly struck the stopped vehicles as 21-year-old Zachary Robert Penrod. Penrod was suspected of being impaired at the time of the crash and was arrested at the scene.
He was later booked into the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Jail.
According to authorities, Penrod faces one count of manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of endangerment.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision remains ongoing.
Family Had Stopped While Heading Home
Javier Valenzuela told AZ Family that his cousin and Ruth were driving home from dinner when they experienced the tire problem and pulled over.
Other relatives arrived to help them, with plans for Ruth to be taken home afterward because her grandson was continuing the journey on a spare tire.
Javier described the relationship between his cousin and Ruth as particularly close.
“They’re really close, they were really close, so he was always taking her everywhere,” he said.
The family was reportedly in the process of finishing the tire change when the crash occurred. Javier said Penrod initially struck the vehicle carrying his grandmother, aunt and uncle.
After the collision, his cousin got out of his own vehicle and went toward the damaged cars to check on his relatives.
Relatives Suffered Serious Injuries
Javier said his cousin witnessed the immediate aftermath of the crash while trying to check on his family members.
“My cousin got out and checked on them; he saw everything,” he said. “He’s traumatized. How could you not be?”
Javier said his aunt and uncle have undergone multiple surgeries following the collision.
His cousin also suffered a broken collarbone.
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While the physical injuries have left the family facing a difficult recovery, Javier said the emotional impact has been overwhelming as they deal with the sudden loss of Ruth.
Family Remembers Ruth as a Beloved Mother
Javier spoke about Ruth’s final conversations with the family and said she had acknowledged that she was getting older.
“She had been saying she knew she was getting old, her time was coming soon, but it’s really unfair that someone had to go like this.”
Ruth’s daughter, Alma Rosa Valenzuela, also shared an emotional tribute on Facebook following her mother’s death.
“My God, you have left me devastated. Now who am I going to call… I will always love and remember you with all my love… rest in peace, mother,” she wrote.
The family has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help support relatives affected by the crash.
Javier described how quickly the family’s lives changed following the collision.
“In an instant, our world changed completely,” he wrote in the fundraiser’s description.
The crash remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the deadly collision.
What do you think about this tragic Arizona freeway crash? Share your thoughts in the comments, and keep Ruth’s family and the injured relatives in your thoughts as they face the difficult days ahead.