A Wednesday afternoon walk in downtown Phoenix turned deadly when a truck struck 60-year-old Susan Hawkins near Washington Street and 3rd Avenue, according to city police. Emergency crews were called to the scene around 4:30 p.m., and Hawkins was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Initial details suggest the driver was making a turn when the truck hit Hawkins, and the driver stayed at the scene, according to 12News. Officers reportedly found Hawkins with serious injuries before she was transported to the hospital.
Pedestrian Safety in Arizona
The deadly collision occurred in the middle of an ongoing fight to make Arizona streets safer for people on foot. The Arizona Department of Transportation's 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report recorded 2,079 pedestrian crashes and 263 pedestrian fatalities, with most fatal incidents happening on local streets in urban areas. Those numbers have helped spur renewed efforts around the state to improve safety.
Officials have highlighted intersection upgrades and stepped-up enforcement as key pieces of that strategy, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Investigation Ongoing
Phoenix police said the investigation into Hawkins' death is ongoing, and no charges have been announced. Detectives are gathering evidence and asking anyone with information about the crash to contact Phoenix Police.
The department's initial account indicates impairment does not appear to have been a factor in the collision, according to 12News.
