A fatal car crash on the Loop 202 Red Mountain freeway in Phoenix has led to a passenger's death and the arrest of the SUV's driver. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the crash occurred just before 2 a.m. yesterday near the 32nd Street off-ramp, leading to the tragic outcome.
Driving into the gore area, the SUV collided with a guardrail, resulting in serious consequences for its occupants. The passenger, 34-year-old Jessica Bell of Phoenix, was taken to a hospital where she passed away, as stated in reports from multiple sources. The 36-year-old driver, Vladimir Cortez Perez, faced only minor injuries and, following his release from the hospital, was arrested and charged with manslaughter, having been suspected of impairment at the time of the crash, which 12News confirmed through DPS statements.
Amid a rising trend of roadway fatalities in Arizona over recent years, as evidenced by data from the Arizona Department of Transportation, which 12News indicates has been increasing since 2011, the department has been proactive in offering tips for safer driving. Their strategy, including dos like not speeding, always wearing seatbelts, and staying sober behind the wheel, aims to mitigate such tragedies.
As the investigations into the specifics of this latest incident continue, ADOT remains committed to educating drivers on safety and providing updates on road conditions to reduce the chances of similar occurrences in the future. Road users are encouraged to keep informed of real-time highway conditions by using resources such as ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site or by downloading their mobile app.
