Highway closes for four hours after young man killed in accident

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

  An Oracle man was killed Monday after colliding with a semi truck hauling an oversize load.

  According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, at approximately 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, a 2007 two-door Pontiac driving southbound on Hwy. 77 attempted to pass southbound traffic, crossing over the centerline north of Oracle Junction. A northbound 1998 Freightliner semi went off the road to the right in an attempt to avoid a head on collision with the Pontiac.  The Pontiac sideswiped the semi and struck its oversized load. After colliding with the truck, the Pontiac struck the northbound guardrail and the driver was ejected.

  The driver, later identified as Dakota Allen Roth, 20, Oracle, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi driver was not injured, said DPS Trooper Kameron Lee.

  The highway was completely closed from the time of the accident until 4:45 p.m. Traffic was routed around the accident on Willow Springs Rd., Freeman Rd. and Hwy. 79, and via the Floence-Kelvin Hwy.

  The case is still under investigation.

Staff (5795 Posts)

There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.


Facebooktwitterby feather
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

Comments are closed.

  • Additional Stories

    Annual San Manuel Copper Classic motorcycle race returns March 9

    February 4th, 2024
    by

        Well, they will be at it again. The Trail Riders of Southern Arizona (TRS) will be hosting the […]


    Strong Start to Superior’s 2024

    February 4th, 2024
    by

    Our great town has entered 2024 at hypersonic speed, and we are excited about the many major milestones we have […]


    Winkelman Preparatory Academy plans expansion

    February 4th, 2024
    by

    By Mila Besich   When the school year first started in August of 2023, 16 young girls began attending the […]


    New welding facility open for regional learning in Superior

    February 4th, 2024
    by

      By Nathaniel A. Lopez   It’s official.   On Jan. 23, members of Superior Town Council, Rebuild Superior, Resolution […]


  • Additional Stories

    Queen Creek Bridge replacement project begins on US60; full closures will be required between Superior, Miami for blasting

    February 4th, 2024
    by

      SUPERIOR – The Arizona Department of Transportation is replacing two bridges on US 60 east of Superior with spans […]


    Pinal County hosts vaccine clinics in Kearny, Mammoth

    February 4th, 2024
    by

        On Jan. 14, the Pinal County Animal Care and Control offered low-cost vaccines to local pet owners in […]


    OWN Oracle to disband; Oracle Visitors Center to close

    February 4th, 2024
    by

      By Nathaniel A. Lopez   After many years of service in the Oracle, and surrounding communities, OWN-Oracle Women’s Network, […]


    Ray, Kearny PD receive grant for SRO

    February 1st, 2024
    by

      Ray Unified School District and the Kearny Police Department worked on a grant over the summer that funded a […]


  • Copperarea

  • Southeast Valley Ledger