A major south Phoenix intersection was shut down in all directions early Sunday after a crash involving two pickup trucks left one person unresponsive and in critical condition and sent three others to the hospital. First responders were called to the scene near 24th Street and Southern Avenue just before 5 a.m., and investigators say a man from one of the vehicles ran off before officers got there.
Four Hurt, One Critical After Pickup Collision
Phoenix police told AZ Family that officers arriving at the scene found one person unresponsive and in critical condition, while three other people suffered injuries and were taken to the hospital. The crash prompted police to close the intersection completely, and drivers were urged to steer clear of the area while crews worked the scene.
The closure is expected to last a while. Police said the roadway is expected to be closed for an extended period as the investigation continues, according to the same report.
What Led to the Crash Remains Unclear
Investigators have not said what caused the two pickup trucks to collide, and they have not determined whether impairment played a role. Adding to the mystery, police believe a man who was in one of the vehicles got out and ran away before officers arrived, though it is not clear from the available information whether that person was driving, according to Arizona’s Family.
Police are asking anyone with information about the crash to come forward, asking the public to contact Phoenix police or Silent Witness, which can be reached at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO.
Part of a Rough Stretch on Phoenix Roads
Phoenix has adopted a Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan that uses crash data to identify a High Injury Network and prioritize safety improvements. The city says its approach treats traffic deaths and serious injuries as preventable, and city officials approved $10 million annually for implementing the plan in September 2022. The framework focuses on identifying problem locations and guiding citywide safety enhancements, as described in Phoenix’s Road Safety Action Plan.
The crash comes amid Phoenix’s broader road-safety efforts. The city’s Vision Zero plan uses crash data to identify locations for safety improvements.
Other serious crashes have also occurred elsewhere in Phoenix.
That same stretch saw a string of incidents across the city within roughly a day, including a crosswalk crash near Cave Creek and Greenway roads that left a person critically injured, though police said that driver stayed at the scene. Around 4 a.m. that Sunday, one person died and another was hurt after being struck near 67th Avenue and Broadway Road in west Phoenix, and three bicyclists near Central and Baseline roads suffered only minor injuries after being hit by a driver.
No arrests or charges connected to Sunday's crash have been reported, and the identities of those hurt have not been released.
