1 dead, more hurt in school van crash

One person was killed, and several others were injured in a two-vehicle collision involving a school van, Gila River Police authorities reported.

The crash occurred on this afternoon along Riggs Road near State Route 347, located on the Gila River Indian Community about 9 miles north of city limits.

According to Gila River police, a van transporting a junior high school sports team was one of the vehicles involved, with several passengers sustaining moderate to severe injuries, ABC Family first reported. PD has not disclosed the name of the school or the total number of people aboard the van.

The driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash was pronounced dead at the scene. This vehicle had no other occupants.

Riggs Road was shut down for westbound traffic from SR 347 to 16th Street as of 5 p.m. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and further details have yet to be released.

Gila River Public Safety teams remain on scene.

“Please find alternate routes and drive safely,” GRPD said in a statement.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information becomes available.