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Man does not survive leap from runaway truck on I-17

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An Indiana man lost his life this week when he jumped out of a truck that lost its brakes on I-17 in Arizona.

The incident happened on Wednesday, June 20, at noon, just south of Camp Verde, according to the Daily Courier.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) says that two people were inside a truck that was hauling a load of garlic northbound on I-17 around mile marker 283 when the truck’s brakes failed on a steep grade.

The two men, unable to regain control of the truck, made the decision to try to leap to safety. From Arizona DPS Public Information officer Kameron Lee: “As the truck approached a curve, the driver and passenger both jumped from the moving truck. The runaway truck continued for approximately a 1/4 mile before overturning onto its right side in the median.”

Indiana resident Johnathon Hardaway, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 25 year old Indiana man who was behind the wheel at the time of the crash suffered non life-threatening injuries.

The Copper Canyon Fire and Medical Authority says that the truck crashed just a mile away from the nearest runway truck ramp.

I-17 was not completely reopened until 1 a.m. on Thursday.

The Copper Canyon Fire Department responded to the incident. They later tweeted out “We would like to remind everyone to please use precautions when descending down Copper Canyon.”

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