CORT Warehouse Supervisor Health Care Rio Salado College PA's/Online Instructors General CORT WAREHOUSE/DRIVER Construction Komatsu Equipment Co Mechanic Education Assessment Technology, Inc Social Studies Content Writer Tucson Region2 with dog, truck sought in fatal I-10 crasharizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.20.2008
Authorities are looking for a couple associated with a dog that darted in front of a van carrying eight cheerleaders and three coaches from San Manuel High School. The van swerved to avoid the dog, resulting in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 that killed two people and injured all 11 in the van.
All but one of the cheerleaders — 15-year-old Mychelle Zazueta — have been released from the hospital, according to University Medical Center. Zazueta is in fair condition.
Zazueta's mother, Elizabeth Zazueta, 47, who is also a squad coach, was released from UMC and is undergoing rehabilitation because she is partially paralyzed, said her husband, Mike Zazueta.
Doctors are optimistic that she will regain the use of her limbs, he said.
Elizabeth Zazueta was driving the van at the time of the collision, her husband said.
The crash, which occurred about 10 miles west of Benson on Sept. 12, resulted in numerous injuries and the deaths of two people who were in a car following the van.
No citations have been issued.
Before the crash, a black Chevrolet extended-cab, dual-wheel axle pickup truck with mud flaps was parked in the median, according to a news release from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
A man and woman were in or near the truck, and a brown-and-black dog was seen with them.
Just before 5 p.m., the van, which was heading eastbound on Interstate 10, swerved to avoid hitting a dog similar to the couple's, the release said.
The driver of a black car that was behind the van tried to avoid the van, and the car was hit by a tractor-trailer.
Two of the occupants of the black car were killed.
The tractor-trailer continued on before striking the van, the release said. The van rolled into the median. All of the occupants were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The pickup was seen leaving the area, heading east on I-10.
Anyone with information on the Chevrolet pickup is asked to call the Arizona Department of Public Safety at 1-602-223-2212.
● Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at 573-4242 or ahuicochea@azstarnet.com.
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