I-17 crash victim identified

According to initial reports, Richard Allen Major, 73, of Cottonwood, was driving a Ford Thunderbird that was apparently traveling the wrong direction Thursday morning, Aug. 5, on Interstate 17 when it struck a woman driving a late model BMW headed toward Flagstaff.

The driver of the Ford was killed instantly and the woman was airlifted to Flagstaff Medical Center with serious injuries.

The accident caused a major northbound backup on the freeway with Department of Public Safety officers opening one lane after the highway was shut down for about an hour.

Sedona Fire District assisted the Montezuma Rimrock Fire Department with the call. The accident remains under investigation.