A late Saturday night at the Mesa Grand shopping center ended in tragedy when a man was struck and killed in the parking lot near the northeast corner of Stapley Drive and Baseline Road, according to Mesa police. Officers arrived shortly after 11 p.m. and pronounced the pedestrian dead at the scene. Investigators say the driver took off before first responders got there, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
As reported by 12News, Mesa police said the crash happened around 11 p.m. on May 23 and that an alleged silver Ford F-150 left the scene. The department has asked anyone with information or footage to contact investigators as they work to piece together what happened. The victim has not been publicly identified and police have not released a cause for the collision.
Where It Happened
The collision took place in the mall's parking lot at the northeast corner of Stapley Drive and Baseline Road. Mesa Grand lists the center at 1859 S. Stapley Drive, a busy retail cluster that includes big-box stores, restaurants and a movie theater.
Hit-and-Runs Remain a Concern
Citywide data show hit-and-run crashes are a recurring problem for people on foot. The City of Mesa's 2024 crash report found that 24 of 98 pedestrian crashes that year were reported as hit-and-run collisions. The number underscores how difficult it can be for investigators when drivers leave the scene before officers arrive.
Legal Consequences
Leaving the scene of an accident that results in death or serious physical injury can be charged as a felony under Arizona law. See FindLaw for the statutory framework of A.R.S. § 28-661. Prosecutors decide whether to file felony counts as evidence, such as witness statements, video or physical evidence, becomes available.
How to Help
Mesa police have asked anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dash-cam or store surveillance footage to contact investigators. 12News notes that tips and video can be critical as detectives attempt to identify the vehicle and the driver.
