By NBCNews.com staff and wire reports

PHOENIX – Seven people died in a crash on Interstate 10 near Phoenix after a semitrailer truck crossed the median and struck a van, officials said.

AZCentral.com quoted Department of Public Safety spokesman Carrick Cook as saying both vehicles plunged down a 6-foot embankment and burst into flames.

Cook said the van was registered to a person from western Arizona. AZCentral.com reported that the seven victims are believed to be family members. The youngest were believed to be teenagers, Cook added.

The crash occurred about 60 miles west of Phoenix at around 11 a.m. on Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source: usnews.nbcnews.com