LEGAL STORIES AND INSIGHTS FROM BREWERWOOD.

On Thursday August 29th, 2024 at around 12:00pm, a semi truck failed to stop at a red light causing a 6-vehicle crash at the intersection of 12th Street & Indian School Road.

Drivers at the scene say the semi-truck failed to stop on Indian School Road, collided with the man’s car, and dragged it under the truck bed. As the car and driver were stuck under the truck, the truck then hit a tow truck, causing a chain reaction of crashes. The tow truck hit another passenger vehicle, which hit another car.

Phoenix police say the semi-truck driver was going west on Indian School Road when he didn’t stop and crashed into several vehicles at the red light. Authorities say 57-year-old Jimmy Orama’s vehicle was the second one to be struck, leading to a chain reaction crash involving six vehicles total.

Officers were called to the crash and found Jimmy Orama suffering critical injuries. Despite lifesaving treatment provided by Phoenix Fire Department personnel, he died at the scene.

The man driving the truck was evaluated, and no signs of impairment were noted, police said, adding further details are part of an ongoing investigation.   

At the scene, a parking lot adjacent to the crash was full of drivers involved, waiting to see what their next steps were. They told FOX 10 that they heard the screeching sound of brakes and vehicles crashing – then looking in their rearview mirror and realizing the commotion was coming straight toward them.

“It was a red light. And for some reason, the truck didn’t stop. It kept going.. You can’t see no tire breaks, none of that. He just went right over the car. Right now the wheels are on top of the driver. They’re not trying to get him out..”

“Honestly, this situation could happen to anyone,” said Timmy Lee, who was involved in the crash. “And we could never see it coming. So honestly, like, I can only imagine myself in his shoes, rest his soul. Where you are just going on about your day and all of a sudden, it just all ends.”