Early Thursday in west Phoenix, a quiet stretch of 27th Avenue turned into a crime scene after a bicyclist was found with a severe head injury, the apparent victim of a hit-and-run at 27th Avenue and Lamar Road. Phoenix Fire crews rushed the man to a local hospital in critical condition, and officers say the driver took off instead of stopping. Nearby lanes were shut down while detectives worked the intersection just south of Glendale Avenue.
Officers were called to the crash at about 5:30 a.m., and Phoenix Police told reporters they are still piecing together how the collision happened and trying to track down the driver, as reported by KTAR. The initial account from police says the rider suffered a serious head injury and was taken to the hospital in critical condition, and that the involved vehicle left the scene. Detectives have not released any identifying details about the driver or the vehicle.
Crash Scene, Closures and Call for Witnesses
Phoenix police closed 27th Avenue from Lamar Road to Ocotillo Road while investigators combed the area for evidence, as reported by Arizona's Family. Officers at the scene told the station that one male bicyclist was hospitalized with serious injuries and that investigators are urging anyone with video or information to speak up. The shutdown snarled parts of the morning commute as crews documented the scene.
Recent Crashes and What Investigators Want from Witnesses
The wreck comes amid a run of serious bicycle crashes in Phoenix this month, including a June 9 collision in north Phoenix that turned deadly and led to a driver’s arrest, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. The station also reports that Phoenix Police and partners are pushing witnesses to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) with any tips or video that might help crack hit-and-run cases.
Phoenix Police Vehicular Crimes detectives are leading the investigation, and the department has not released the bicyclist's name. Authorities say anyone with information should contact Phoenix Police as they continue to work leads in hopes of finding the driver who left the scene.
