A man identified by police as David Mills died after he was struck by a car near 24th Street and Glenrosa Avenue in Phoenix on Monday, the Phoenix Police Department said. Emergency crews rushed Mills to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The driver stayed at the scene and spoke with officers as they began their investigation, and detectives said they are examining whether impairment may have been a factor.
According to 12News, investigators said the driver cooperated with police and that Mills was hit near 24th Street and Glenrosa before being taken to the hospital. Police told the outlet they are waiting on toxicology reports and other evidence before deciding whether to pursue criminal charges. Detectives have not released additional details about what led up to the collision.
Pedestrian Safety Is A Persistent Problem
Phoenix is no stranger to deadly encounters between cars and people on foot, and recent years have not brought much relief. A national review from the Governors Highway Safety Association found that pedestrian deaths across the country remained above pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Locally, outlets such as ABC15 have chronicled a steady drumbeat of fatal crashes in the Phoenix area.
In response, city agencies have rolled out periodic enforcement surges and traffic-safety task forces that pair ticket-writing with road engineering changes and public education campaigns. Officials say the goal is to reduce serious crashes by slowing drivers down, making crossings more visible and predictable, and reminding everyone that people on foot are the most vulnerable users of the road.
Investigation And Next Steps
Phoenix police told 12News that detectives will lean on toxicology findings, witness statements and other physical evidence as they reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash. Once that work is done, investigators plan to confer with prosecutors before making any charging decisions. As of now, police have not announced any arrests or filed charges in connection with Mills' death.
The case underscores the hazards pedestrians face in Phoenix, where traffic experts frequently point to speeding, impaired driving and spotty walking infrastructure as key problems. The Governors Highway Safety Association promotes what it calls a "Safe System" approach, which emphasizes safer speeds, better designed crossings and stronger post-crash medical response as a way to drive down pedestrian fatalities. Phoenix investigators say their work on this crash is ongoing as they continue to gather and review evidence.
