Truck driver dead at the scene after driving through Arizona visitor center

Police say that a truck driver may have already passed away before crashing off an Arizona interstate, through a fence, and into a building earlier this week.

The fatal incident occurred on the night of October 19 in Willcox, Arizona.

City officials in Willcox say that a semi truck driver was westbound on I-10 at mile marker 341 when “for unknown reasons,” his vehicle veered off the right side of the interstate, drove through a fence, and traveled 1/4 to 1/2 mile through the desert before colliding with the Willcox Visitor Center.

Officials said that the truck struck the north side of the building with enough velocity that it drove through the entire visitor center and exited through the south side.

After driving through the building, the truck dropped off a landing drop and veered right, eventually jackknifing to a stop in an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) parking lot. Officials say that the truck narrowly avoided striking AZDPS officers inside the building and in patrol units.

When officials arrived on the scene, the truck driver was pronounced dead. Fire fighters used the Jaws of Life to remove him from his truck.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Willcox Police Chief Dale Hadfield told the Herald/Review that the driver was believed to have been already deceased or unconscious prior to the crash. Witnesses said that the driver did not hit the brakes.

The identity of the truck driver has been withheld pending the notification of family members.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Willcox Police Department at (520) 384-4673.