A 39-year-old motorcyclist was fatally injured Saturday when an SUV turned left in front of his bike at 31st Avenue and Northern Avenue in north Phoenix, authorities said. Phoenix Fire Department crews rushed the rider to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where he later died. The driver of the SUV remained at the scene while police began their investigation.
Deadly collision at north Phoenix intersection
According to 12 News, officers responded Saturday to the crash at 31st Avenue and Northern Avenue, where preliminary information indicates the SUV made a left turn into the motorcycle's path. Police identified the rider as 39-year-old Rigoberto Bencomo. Crews transported him to the hospital in critical condition, and detectives worked the scene while investigators tried to piece together what led up to the collision.
Left turns remain a top threat for riders
Left-turn crashes, where a vehicle turns across the path of an oncoming motorcycle, are a common and often deadly scenario for riders, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. At the state level, the Arizona Department of Transportation has noted that motorcyclist fatalities dropped 16.4% in 2024, yet riders still account for a disproportionate share of traffic deaths. Safety advocates frequently cite visibility problems, failure-to-yield turns at intersections and distracted driving as stubborn factors behind these kinds of wrecks.
Investigation still in early stages
Phoenix Police's Vehicular Crimes Unit detectives responded to the scene and continue to investigate. Authorities have not released further details or announced any charges, according to 12 News. The case remains open, and police say they will share updates as more information becomes available.
