A late-night crash on northbound State Route 51 near Bell Road in north Phoenix left a woman dead Saturday after her stopped vehicle was hit from behind, authorities said.
What Authorities Reported
According to ABC15 Arizona, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said troopers were called to the scene just before midnight. They found a vehicle stopped in a travel lane on SR 51 that had been rear-ended by another car.
The woman driving the stopped vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers told ABC15 Arizona. The driver of the second vehicle was not injured, and impairment is not believed to have played a role in the crash, according to investigators.
Move Over Law and Safety Steps
State safety guidance stresses that drivers should avoid stopping in active travel lanes whenever possible and give extra room to vehicles that are stopped along the roadway. The Arizona Department of Public Safety’s safety messages highlight the state’s "Move Over" guidance, which advises drivers to change lanes away from stopped vehicles or slow down significantly if changing lanes is not safe. The goal is to protect stranded drivers, people on the shoulder, and first responders working in those areas.
Traffic Impact and Where to Get Updates
The northbound lanes of SR 51 near Bell Road were shut down for an extended investigation and later reopened, according to what ADOT told ABC15 Arizona. Drivers looking to avoid lingering backups or check on current freeway conditions can visit AZ 511 for live traffic maps and updates.
