Eastbound Grand Avenue has reopened near the El Mirage-Sun City border after a driver fleeing police crashed into another vehicle late Thursday, according to updated reports citing the El Mirage Police Department.
The eastbound closure between Thompson Ranch Road and 113th Avenue lasted into Friday morning. Westbound lanes were not affected. KTAR News reported the eastbound lanes had reopened after the investigation at the crash site.
This article reflects information available as of 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in Arizona.
What police say happened
The incident began around 10 p.m. Thursday, when officers saw a vehicle parked in an area that is not normally open to the public and heard what they believed were gunshots, according to Arizona’s Family’s report citing El Mirage police.
Police said the driver sped away as officers approached. Other officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver did not pull over. The department said officers did not pursue the vehicle.
The vehicle continued southeast on Grand Avenue and collided with another vehicle near 113th Avenue, police said.
Officers arriving at the crash found the fleeing driver with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the police account. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The other driver suffered minor injuries and was also hospitalized.
Grand Avenue reopened Friday morning
Grand Avenue is also designated U.S. 60 through this part of the West Valley. Eastbound lanes were closed between the Thompson Ranch Road junction and 113th Avenue while police investigated the crash and circumstances that preceded it. Westbound traffic was not affected by the closure, according to police.
The eastbound lanes later reopened Friday morning. Police had not publicly identified the critically injured driver in the latest reports.
Update, Sept. 18, 2026, 12:30 p.m.: This article was updated after eastbound Grand Avenue reopened.
Correction, Sept. 18, 2026, 8:30 a.m.: An initial version described Grand Avenue as closed in both directions. El Mirage police said the closure affected eastbound lanes and that westbound lanes were not affected.
Featured image: Editorial illustration created for West Valley Post. It does not depict the crash scene, the vehicles involved or an actual road barricade at the location.
Comments
Join the conversation. Keep comments relevant, civil and focused on the story.