A late-night collision on Bell Road in north Phoenix left a passenger dead and two drivers in the hospital late Thursday, authorities said. The two-vehicle crash happened just after 11 p.m. near Seventh Street and Bell Road. An adult male passenger was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Phoenix police detectives said a Mitsubishi Outlander heading east on Bell Road tried to turn into a private driveway when a westbound Nissan Juke hit it on the passenger side, according to KTAR. Phoenix Fire Department crews responded, treated the injured drivers at the scene and took them to nearby hospitals. Detectives told KTAR that neither driver showed obvious signs of impairment as the investigation continues. The intersection was temporarily shut down while first responders worked the scene and investigators documented evidence.
Firefighters had to extricate at least one person from a vehicle, and witnesses reported significant damage to multiple SUVs at the crash site, Arizona's Family reported. First responders rushed the injured to area hospitals. One person was initially listed in critical condition before the passenger later died.
Investigation
Phoenix police traffic detectives are leading the investigation and say they are still working to determine what led up to the collision, per KTAR. The identity of the man who died has not yet been released. Investigators continue to collect evidence and interview witnesses, and anyone with video or information that might help is urged to contact Phoenix police.
Bell Road Safety Concerns
Bell Road is one of the Valley’s busiest east-west routes and has seen several serious crashes in recent months, according to local coverage. A deadly overnight wreck in May shut the same corridor for hours and stirred fresh concern about safety along the stretch.
Authorities have not released the passenger’s name in the latest crash, and the investigation remains active. Arizona's Family and KTAR have both been following the case and are expected to update their reports as officials release more details.
