A pre-dawn crash in west Phoenix left a man dead Monday after he was struck near 55th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard, shutting down part of the intersection while investigators worked the scene. Officers were called out just before 5 a.m., and medics found the pedestrian in critical condition. He was rushed to a hospital, where he later died. Police say the driver stayed at the scene, and officials have not released any additional details.
According to ABC15 Arizona, officers located the man in critical condition, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation. The outlet reports that drivers were asked to avoid the area while crews investigated and cleared the scene. Phoenix police have not said whether they expect any charges.
Pedestrian safety in Arizona
The Arizona Department of Transportation reports there were 2,079 pedestrian crashes statewide in 2024 and 263 pedestrian deaths that year, with Maricopa County accounting for 1,516 of those crashes and 158 pedestrian fatalities. The numbers highlight the danger on major arterial streets around Phoenix. ADOT’s statewide dataset also shows pedestrians made up about 21% of traffic fatalities in 2024. Local advocates and city planners have pointed to lighting, crossing distances and speed as key factors in these crashes.
Police investigation and next steps
Phoenix police told ABC15 Arizona that detectives are investigating and will release updates when they have them. Investigators typically gather witness statements and nearby camera footage to reconstruct collisions, and the department has not yet released the victim’s identity. This report will be updated if Phoenix police or city officials provide more information.
