Hourly Update

Three injured in fiery I-10 crash were from Tucson

Three people who were injured in an fiery crash near Picacho Peak Wednesday afternoon have been identified as Tucson residents, an official said Thursday. Ron F. Agnick, 35; Shantel E. Womtbenthom, 35; and 15-month-old Erin Agnick were eastbound on Interstate 10 in a 2002 Nissan car when they were pushed off the road by a tractor-trailer rig hauling sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid, according to a news release from the Department of Public Safety. Ron Agnick made his way back into the lane but wound up underneath the tractor trailer and the car subsequently burst into flames, the release said. The collision was enough to damage the trailer, causing it spill 1,500 gallons of the hazardous materials. The occupants of the Nissan were removed from their vehicle and taken to hospitals, the release said. Agnick was treated for chemical burns and inhalation and released. Womtbenthom sustained the same injuries and is still hospitalized. Her child suffered inhalation and burn injuries and is also still hospitalized. The driver of the rig, 63-year-old Donald E. Mueller of Princeton, Minn., was treated for inhalation and released. Additionally, several firefighters and DPS officers were taken to hospitals to be treated for exposure but have since been released. No citations have been issued as the investigation is ongoing, the news release said. The eastbound lanes of I-10 were closed overnight and reopened at 3 a.m. Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at 629-9412 or ahuicochea@azstarnet.com.