5,000 Illegally Gather In Arizona For Drunken Party Amid COVID-19 Fears

Officials in Arizona discovered a sprawling, illegal party Wednesday while patrolling the Tonto National Park. Over 5,000 partygoers attended the event near Pheonix, leading to an array of violations from DUIs to illegal firework usage, CNN reports.

A Facebook post from the Tonto National Forest Service detailed the fallout, including a person who had to be airlifted out by medical helicopter after two all-terrain vehicles collided and emergency personnel couldn’t get through the crowds.

“Visitor violations included DUIs, double riding, speeding/reckless vehicle operation, user-created vehicle staging areas in the burned area, camps blocking roadways, illegal use of fireworks and target shooting with unknown backstops,” wrote officials. “By evening’s end, there were seven vehicle accidents and multiple reports of stolen OHVs [off-highway vehicles].”

Revelers taped off party spots and flooded all major roadways around the area with parked cars.

Sandy Bahr, director of the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter, told CNN she was horrified after seeing pictures of the fallout.

"That many people engaged in those types of activities in one area, it's going to be super destructive," she said.

The gathering comes as Arizona’s health officials eye COVID-19 numbers nervously. State data shows 20% of the population fully vaccinated, but the state has seen a slight but “measurable” increase in recent infections as rates spike elsewhere, Dr. Joshua LaBaer, director of Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute, told AZ Central.

LaBaer emphasized the need for speedy vaccination.

"By May 1, but the end of this month, our modeling team is projecting that more than 1,000 lives will be saved by vaccinations that have currently gone on here," LaBaer said. "Vaccination is clearly having an effect here. It's saving lives without a doubt and will continue to do so as we get more people vaccinated."