Thanksgiving Eve accident on SR 347

“Another day, another person dies on John Wayne Parkway,” said an observer pumping gas at the Shell station on the corner of John Wayne Parkway and Garvey Road around 8 p.m., one quarter mile from an accident on SR 347.

No fatalities were reported at the scene of the two-car collision, according to emergency officials. However, at least one was evacuated by helicopter.

Onlookers stared at a dairy truck parked northbound in a southbound lane, but Sheriff’s deputies said it was not involved in the accident.

Although the observer was wrong about the accident, the sentiment was true after recent reports released during a Maricopa Traffic Task Force meeting last week as Sgt. Roy Polmanteer, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, delivered statistics reenforcing the hazards of the highway (see related story).

During the month of October there were 64 accidents within the city limits, 31 of which were on SR 347. Eleven of the 31 accidents resulted in injuries including one fatality.

Tonight’s accident is still under investigation.