A late-night drive near a north Phoenix apartment complex turned violent Friday when an allegedly impaired driver plowed into a man and a woman, then tried to take off, according to police. Both victims were rushed to a hospital with serious injuries and are expected to survive, and witnesses at the scene quickly stepped in to help officers track down the suspect.
As reported by AZFamily, the crash happened near the Acclaim Apartment Homes at 25th Avenue and Dunlap Avenue. Police told the outlet the driver initially left the area but was found a short time later with help from witnesses and taken into custody. The names of the injured pair and the suspect have not yet been released.
Legal consequences
Leaving the scene of a crash that injures someone is not just bad form, it can be a felony under Arizona law. Under Justia, A.R.S. § 28-661 lays out that drivers who flee a collision involving serious injury or death face felony charges and mandatory license revocations, with tougher penalties if they caused the wreck. If investigators confirm impairment in this case, prosecutors could also pursue aggravated DUI or related charges.
State crash trends
Cases like this are part of a broader problem on Arizona roads. The Arizona Department of Transportation's 2024 Crash Facts report found that impaired driving and speeding remain top contributors to fatal and serious-injury crashes, with more than 121,000 collisions statewide in 2024 and 1,228 traffic deaths, according to the Arizona DOT. Officials have also warned that crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists have climbed in recent years, adding to already serious safety concerns.
Police follow-up
According to AZFamily, Phoenix police are still working the case and are asking any additional witnesses to come forward. Detectives will decide whether to file more charges as they sort through the evidence. Authorities have not released further information, but additional details are expected as the investigation moves ahead.
