Phoenix , AZ : Van driver was dead after striking the back of a flatbed semitrailer and crashing into a tree on monday evening, December 1st 2014

The driver of a van is dead after striking the back of a flatbed semitrailer in Phoenix and crashing into a tree. The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. Monday as the driver of the van exited Interstate 10 at 67th Avenue. The driver of the van was apparently distracted when he hit the semitrailer without attempting to brake, Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves said. Graves said the force of the impact lifted up the back of the flatbed trailer and sent the driver of the van crashing into a tree in an embankment. Graves said the driver of the semitrailer was shaken up but otherwise OK. The identity of the deceased man hasn't been released. The 67th Avenue off-ramp was expected to remain closed until around 9 p.m. source : Phoenix man killed in rear-end collision