Brutal Attack on Truck Driver in Arizona Rest Area

SAN SIMON, Arizona – Truck drivers are in critical condition following a severe assault that took place at a westbound rest area on Interstate 10.

Kochise County Sheriff Mark Dunnell reported that the incident happened around 10 PM on Saturday night. Detectives do not believe the victim had any prior connection to the attacker.

The victim was transported to a hospital in Tucson, where he is currently fighting for his life.

During the attack, the victim managed to call 911 twice, with the episode being captured in the second call. Details from that call have not been disclosed to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

According to Sheriff Dunnell, his team is actively trying to identify the perpetrator.

“We are making every effort to find out who’s responsible, for justice and for their families,” he stated. “Interstates can complicate our work, so we’re checking the camera systems along the highway, as well as utilizing information from the victim’s phone.”

He is convinced there are witnesses who have yet to come forward.

“If you see this, it’s likely someone else saw something,” he urged.

Only weeks ago, the sheriff’s office released several surveillance images to aid in locating suspects involved in two separate robbery and assault cases at the same rest area last February. Although he currently does not believe these recent incidents are connected, he acknowledged an uptick in crime at local truck stops and rest areas and noted that additional patrols are assigned to these locations.

“Be cautious when using these rest areas,” he advised.

Chief Investigative Reporter Chorus Neillander from News 4 Tucson spoke with a woman named Erikarios, who served as the groundskeeper at the rest area for four years. She expressed that she has never witnessed such violent incidents there before and is deeply worried about the rise in crime.

“This should not happen,” she remarked.

She also shared images illustrating the law enforcement and medical response to the scene.

This recent surge in crime has made some travelers like Daniel Jenson reconsider stopping at the rest area, particularly at night.

“I’m quite concerned about resting, especially when it’s dark,” he shared. Jenson, who lives near Albuquerque and works for a life flight company, empathized with the victim and his family.

“It’s tragic,” he said.

Conversely, other travelers like Doug and Cathy Moore from Casa Grande have not altered their plans.

“It’s not going to deter us from exploring all the beauty southern Arizona has to offer,” Doug stated.

If anyone has information regarding the recent assault, they are encouraged to come forward.