67 cited after Arizona troopers spot drivers taking photos of fatal semi truck crash

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Highway Patrol ticketed dozens of drivers for using their cellphones near the scene of a commercial vehicle crash.

Troopers were conducting an investigation into a fatal semi truck crash when they noticed “a significant slowdown in traffic due to drivers taking photos or videos while driving,” according to a May 17, 2026 statement from AZDPS.

“Driving behavior like this could have contributed to another collision,” AZDPS noted.

After observing the drivers filming the crash scene, troopers conducted a “Phones Down Detail” on I-10.

The detail resulted in 67 cell phone usage citations.

“Every time you look at your phone instead of the road, you’re taking your eyes, your hands, and your attention away from what matters most: getting yourself and others to your destination safely. A text can wait. A notification can wait. Lives can’t. Let’s all choose to drive distraction-free,” said AZDPS.