A pedestrian was left with a life-threatening injury Wednesday after being struck by a vehicle just south of 35th Avenue and Thomas Road in Phoenix, prompting police to shut down a major stretch of roadway during the investigation. The crash happened in the early afternoon, and officers said the pedestrian had been jaywalking at the time of the collision.
Phoenix Police described the crash as serious in a post on X, saying the vehicle struck the pedestrian who was crossing outside a designated crosswalk. According to Phoenix Police
, the pedestrian was transported with a life-threatening injury. The department said 35th Avenue would be shut down completely between Thomas Road and Virginia Avenue for an extended period while investigators worked the scene, and that a public information officer was en route to the location.
A Stretch of Road With a Troubled History
Wednesday's crash adds to a string of serious collisions that have plagued the 35th Avenue and Thomas Road corridor in recent years. In February 2024, a six-vehicle pileup at the intersection sent two people to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries, according to azfamily.com. That crash also forced police to close the intersection entirely while they investigated, with drivers directed to find alternate routes.
The intersection has seen fatalities as well. In March, a man was struck and killed after being hit by multiple vehicles along the roadway, according to a report from kold.com. That victim was later identified as 58-year-old Jeffery Dale Anderson, and police said he had been walking northbound across Thomas Road, outside of a crosswalk, when he was struck. Detectives in that case believed two additional vehicles hit him without stopping.
Other Recent Crashes Near the Intersection
A separate crash near the same intersection left a man in extremely critical condition and a girl of unknown age in critical condition, per a report from abc15.com describing a two-car collision. In April, a motorcycle-versus-SUV crash shut down the intersection shortly before 5 a.m., killing the motorcycle's rider, who was later identified as 22-year-old Elijah Payton, according to azfamily.com's coverage of that incident.
Another pedestrian death tied to the intersection was reported by phillipslaw.com, which said an SUV struck 35-year-old Julian Jimenez-Valle at around 8:20 p.m. within the intersection of 35th Avenue and Thomas Road. That report was flagged as a lower-confidence account relative to local news outlets, but it points to the same corridor drawing repeated scrutiny.
What Happens Next
The exact circumstances surrounding Wednesday's crash, including the number of vehicles involved, whether impairment played a role, or any citations issued, have not been detailed in available reporting. The pedestrian's identity, age, and current medical condition also have not been released. Phoenix Police said a public information officer was heading to the scene, though no follow-up statement had been issued as of this writing.
Drivers in the area should expect the closure between Thomas Road and Virginia Avenue to remain in place for an extended period, per the department's advisory, though an exact reopening time was not provided. Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact Phoenix Police at the non-emergency line, 602-262-6151, or to call 911 in the case of an emergency.
