A man died late Monday after a car struck him on 59th Avenue near Encanto Boulevard in Phoenix, police said. The collision happened at about 10:57 p.m., and first responders took the pedestrian to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators from the Phoenix Police Department's Vehicular Crimes Unit stayed on scene while officers processed evidence.
Police Details From Initial Investigation
According to KTAR, Phoenix police said the man was crossing mid-block, not in a marked crosswalk, when a 2018 Dodge Challenger traveling north on 59th Avenue hit him. Phoenix Fire Department crews transported the pedestrian to a hospital, where hospital staff later pronounced him dead, KTAR reports.
Collision Trends on the Encanto Corridor
This crash is the latest in a series of serious collisions along the Encanto corridor and nearby stretches of 59th Avenue. The Phoenix Police Department's public media advisories list several fatal collision investigations in nearby blocks this year, and a pre-dawn crash near 55th and Encanto in June highlighted ongoing community concerns about crossings and lighting. Local advocates have repeatedly pointed to long crossing distances and limited night-time visibility on these arterials.
Investigation and Legal Status
Phoenix police told KTAR that detectives with the Vehicular Crimes Unit determined the pedestrian crossed mid-block and that "neither speed nor impairment appear to be factors" in the collision. Officers said the driver stayed at the scene, and the department told KTAR that no charges have been recommended as investigators continue to canvas the area for witnesses and video.
Police have not released the victim's name while family notifications are completed. Anyone who saw the crash or who has footage is asked to contact the Phoenix Police Department's Vehicular Crimes Unit. Officials post updates on the Phoenix Police Department media advisories page.
