DES MOINES, IA :Authorities identify woman killed in fiery three-car crash on September, Sunday 3rd 2017

Police have identified the victim in a fiery crash that happened Sunday night at a busy intersection on Des Moines’ south side.

Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said in a news release that the crash occurred just after 8 p.m. at the intersection of Southeast 14th Street and Army Post Road.

Michelle Griffiths, 44, of Indianola, was traveling northbound on Southeast 14th Street when police said she crashed into two vehicles that were stopped at a red light on Army Post Road.

Investigators said excessive speed may have been a “significant contributing factor” in the crash, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine if other factors, such as impairment or medical issues, contributed.

Viewers captured cellphone video of the aftermath. It shows bystanders running toward the scene to help get one of the victims out of the car.

Witnesses said employees at the nearby Applebee's and Arby’s restaurants came out with fire extinguishers to help put out the fire.

Des Moines Fire Department medics took two people to Des Moines-area hospitals, and their conditions and identities were unknown as of Monday morning.

As detectives were investigating the crash, two Des Moines Police Department patrol cars were damaged in a crash that occurred around 9 p.m. No one was injured.

Parizek said that crash, in the 6300 block of Southeast 14th Street, resulted in the arrest of Victoria Esperanza Ayala Kennison, 45, of Des Moines. She has been charged with second offense operating while intoxicated and possession of marijuana.



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Authorities identify woman killed in fiery three-car crash