A woman died after she was struck in a hit-and-run Tuesday night near 16th Street and Indian School Road in Phoenix, police said. She was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries and later died.
How Police Zeroed In on the Vehicle
Phoenix officers say they used witness statements along with the department’s air support unit to locate the vehicle and detain a man inside. The driver reportedly showed signs of impairment and was arrested and processed for DUI. The case remains under active investigation, according to 12News.
Arizona’s Grim Hit-and-Run Numbers
Pedestrian fatalities remain a stubborn problem across Arizona. In its 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, ADOT recorded 1,228 traffic fatalities in 2024, including 263 pedestrian deaths, and counted more than 16,000 hit-and-run crashes last year. The report flags impairment and speeding as leading contributing factors, a grim bit of context that shows how quickly a single collision can turn fatal on busy Phoenix streets.
What the Law Allows Prosecutors to Pursue
Under Arizona law, failing to stop after a crash that results in death is a felony. According to the Arizona Legislature, A.R.S. 28-661 makes leaving the scene of a fatal or seriously injuring crash a class 3 felony, and a class 2 felony if the driver caused the collision. A DUI prosecution can be pursued separately if investigators determine impairment played a role, adding to the potential criminal exposure for a detained driver.
Investigation and How to Help
Phoenix police have not released the identities of the victim or the detained driver and say detectives are still gathering evidence. Anyone with information or video is asked to contact Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, per the Phoenix Police Department. The initial reporting that a driver was detained and processed for DUI was detailed by 12News.
