Three GCU Students Were Killed In A Multi-Vehicle Accident On Northbound I-17 Monday Morning

Northbound Interstate-17 was closed north of New River for several hours Monday morning after an alleged wrong-way driver caused a multi-vehicle fatal accident. DPS says three people were killed near Table Mesa Road, at around 4 a.m. after four vehicles were involved in the accident. A car was heading southbound in the northbound lane, when it collided with three cars headed northbound, causing one to rollover. DPS says the alleged wrong-way driver survived and is being treated at a Phoenix hospital. Northbound I-17 reopened after 11 a.m. Grand Canyon University sent a letter to students and faculty at around 3 p.m. saying all three killed were students at GCU. The school says Abriauna Hoffman and Magdalyn “Maggie” Ogden were both 18-years old from Washington state, and Hunter Balberdi was 19-years-old from Hawaii. Two were pronounced dead on the scene, while the other victim passed away at a valley hospital. All three were freshmen at GCU and all were suitemates at a residence hall on campus. It isn’t known if alcohol played a role in the accident as it is under investigation.