Crash partially closes eastbound I-10 near Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport during early Thursday commute

What happened and where traffic was restricted

A serious crash partially closed eastbound Interstate 10 near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport early Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, disrupting the morning commute in one of the region’s busiest freeway corridors.

Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers responded at about 4 a.m. to a reported collision on eastbound I-10 near Washington Street. During the response and investigation, authorities closed eastbound I-10 at Washington Street, limiting access through the area and causing significant backups.

Vehicles involved and immediate scene conditions

At the crash site, a white truck was observed overturned on its side and a sedan showed heavy damage on the driver’s side. Officials had not publicly clarified, by early morning, how many people were involved or the severity of any injuries.

The closure remained in place while troopers worked the scene and conducted investigative steps needed to document the crash and clear vehicles and debris.

Status of injuries and investigation

Authorities did not immediately release details on the number of injured occupants, whether anyone was transported to hospitals, or whether impairment, speed, or other factors were suspected. The investigation was ongoing during the morning hours as lanes remained restricted.

What drivers should know: impacts and options

The crash occurred near key access points serving Sky Harbor, downtown Phoenix, and east Valley routes, a location where even partial closures can rapidly cascade into longer delays across nearby interchanges.

• Expect stop-and-go traffic and extended travel times on eastbound I-10 approaching the Washington Street area.

• Consider alternate routes using surface streets or nearby freeways where available, especially for airport-bound trips with scheduled departure times.

• Allow extra time for connections to ramps and interchanges near the airport, where congestion can persist after lanes reopen due to residual backups.

Traffic restrictions were implemented to support emergency response and an on-scene investigation near Washington Street on eastbound I-10.

Context: I-10 near Sky Harbor is prone to major disruption

The segment of I-10 adjacent to Sky Harbor regularly experiences heavy peak-period volumes and frequent operational constraints tied to major interchanges and nearby airport traffic patterns. In this environment, collisions—particularly those involving overturned vehicles or requiring extended scene work—can produce regional delays quickly.

Authorities typically restore full traffic flow only after investigative needs are met and the roadway is verified safe for motorists. Further updates were expected as officials released additional details and the closure status changed.