NEAR LUPTON, AZ – Two Grand Canyon University students died in a crash on Interstate 40 near Arizona’s border with New Mexico over the weekend.
It happened just after 11 p.m. Saturday. The students were going east on I-40 when the driver drifted left and hit a guardrail. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the car was blocking one lane when it finally stopped. Troopers say a tractor-trailer hit it. The driver was in critical condition when they were taken to a hospital in Gallup, New Mexico. The passenger died at the scene. DPS did not immediately release details on those in the tractor-trailer.
On Thursday, GCU identified the two victims as Chelsea Nicole Valladares, 21, from Habor City, California, and Kelli Ingle, 22, a senior with ties to Albuquerque. University officials say they were roommates, and both participated in the Pure Heart Church, which served children in a junior high program. Valladares and Ingle had been GCU students since 2018.
Two GoFundMe accounts have been set up to help their families. Kelli’s GoFundMe can be found by clicking here. Chelsea’s GoFundMe can be found here. Arizona’s Family is working on learning more information about what led up to the crash.
We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the victims of this crash.
Source: 3TV/CBS 5