A 73-year-old Phoenix man who used a wheelchair died after he was hit while crossing Broadway Road near 21st Street on Wednesday night. Emergency crews rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police say the collision remains under investigation.
Authorities identified the victim as Ignacio Ramos Duarte, 73. According to investigators, he was crossing southbound on Broadway Road, outside a marked crosswalk, when a vehicle struck him. The driver stayed at the scene and was checked for signs of impairment, but officers said that evaluation did not indicate impairment. Phoenix Fire crews took Duarte to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, and detectives continue to investigate, according to 12News.
Pedestrian Safety in Arizona
National data show pedestrian deaths began to decline in early 2025, but Arizona still has one of the higher pedestrian fatality rates in the country, a sobering reminder of the dangers on busy arterial streets. Preliminary analysis calls the recent downturn significant, yet stresses that vulnerable road users, including older adults and people who rely on mobility devices, remain at disproportionate risk on roadways, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
What Authorities Are Asking
Phoenix police are asking anyone with video or information about the crash to contact Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, per the City of Phoenix. Detectives plan to review surveillance footage, witness statements and other evidence as they determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
