US, Phoenix: Chandler Bystanders Help Driver After Fiery Tow Truck Crash With Sound On Tape.

Phoenix, United States - June 04, 2026 06/04/2026 03:03 am GMT-0700 CHANDLER, Ariz. – Troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, officers from the Chandler Police Department, and firefighters from both Chandler and Tempe responded to reports of a fiery collision involving a tow truck on the southbound L-101 just south of Ray Road shortly after 3:00 a.m. Thursday. According to initial unconfirmed information gathered at the scene, the flatbed tow truck collided with the barrier wall of the L-101 before erupting into flames. A bystander, Jesus Damacio, who was commuting northbound on the L-101 to work, reported that he observed the tow truck driver on fire as he exited the fully engulfed vehicle. Damacio called 911, then pulled over to the side of the road and ran to the scene to render aid. Damacio utilized his shirt and water bottle to attempt to extinguish the fire. Shortly after, he was joined by a utility worker carrying a cooler, who used the water from the cooler to help extinguish the flames on the driver. Firefighters and troopers arrived shortly thereafter. Firefighters provided medical aid to the driver before transporting him to a local hospital with serious burn injuries. Troopers closed the southbound L-101 at Ray Road, forcing all vehicles to exit onto Ray Road. A second fire engine was dispatched to assist with extinguishing the flatbed. The closure is expected to last at least another hour as troopers begin their investigation into the collision.