Three die as two big rigs collide in Arizona

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- Three people were killed when two big rigs collided and burst into flames Saturday evening on Interstate 40 in Kingman.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said a FedEx semi-tractor pulling a tandem trailer was eastbound when it crossed the median and struck a westbound 1999 International tractor-trailer at 5:56 p.m.

"They exploded in a big fall of flame," said Kingman Fire Department Battalion Chief Bill Johnston.

The trucks and their occupants were incinerated, Johnston said.

"It was complete devastation," he said.

Authorities identified the driver of the FedEx truck as Aundra Whitt, 49, of Dallas.

Her passenger was Ernest Cash, 44, of DeSoto, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.

The other truck driver was Jagjit Singh, 53, of Fresno, Calif., authorities said.

The explosions sent a thick, dark cloud of smoke into the Kingman skyline.

Traffic was detoured off I-40 and through the city while the westbound lanes were closed for more than three hours.

The cause of the accident remained under investigation Sunday.