Phoenix, December 17, 2025
A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of 59th Avenue and Thomas Road in Phoenix. The accident shut down the intersection as police and emergency personnel responded. The injured pedestrian was rushed to a local hospital, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Such occurrences highlight ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety in urban areas like Phoenix, which continues to face challenges with pedestrian-related accidents.
Phoenix
A serious incident in Phoenix early Wednesday morning left a pedestrian seriously injured after being struck by a driver at the intersection of 59th Avenue and Thomas Road. The collision, reported approximately 11 hours ago from the current time, prompted a significant emergency response and led to the closure of the neighborhood intersection as authorities investigated the scene. Police confirmed that the injured individual was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical attention due to the severity of their injuries.
The incident occurred as the city was transitioning into its morning hours, creating immediate traffic disruptions in the area. Law enforcement officials quickly secured the scene to manage vehicle flow and allow emergency personnel to operate. The circumstances surrounding how the pedestrian came to be struck by the vehicle are currently under investigation by local authorities. Such incidents underscore the ongoing challenges related to pedestrian safety within urban environments.
Details of the Collision and Emergency Response
The collision’s impact was severe enough to necessitate the complete shutdown of the intersection at 59th Avenue and Thomas Road. This measure was critical for ensuring the safety of first responders and for facilitating the initial stages of the investigation into the crash. Emergency medical services personnel provided immediate care at the scene before transporting the injured pedestrian to a medical facility. The specific condition of the pedestrian beyond being seriously hurt has not been publicly detailed, but the urgency of the medical response indicates substantial injuries.
Police officers were deployed to manage the significant traffic delays caused by the road closure, rerouting vehicles to alternative streets to mitigate congestion. The investigation process typically involves gathering witness statements, examining the scene for evidence such as skid marks or debris, and reviewing any available surveillance footage that might shed light on the events leading up to the collision. Authorities aim to reconstruct the incident to determine factors such as speed, right-of-way, and driver attentiveness.
Broader Context of Pedestrian Safety in Phoenix
This recent incident highlights a persistent concern regarding pedestrian safety in Phoenix, a city that has historically ranked among the most dangerous in the U.S. for those on foot. While recent data indicates a positive trend with a decrease in pedestrian deaths within the Phoenix Police Department’s jurisdiction, falling from 117 in 2022 to 80 by mid-December 2024, the overall challenge remains significant. Conversely, Arizona as a state continues to grapple with one of the nation’s highest pedestrian fatality rates, ranking second in 2024 behind New Mexico, and even experiencing a slight increase in deaths from the previous year contrary to national declines. Despite a slight decrease in pedestrian fatalities statewide in 2024 compared to 2023, the total number of pedestrian crashes across Arizona has steadily risen each year from 2020 to 2024, reaching 2,079 crashes in 2024.
Common Factors Contributing to Pedestrian Accidents
Several key factors are consistently identified as contributing to pedestrian accidents in Phoenix and across Arizona. Distracted driving, often involving cell phone use or other in-vehicle distractions, remains a primary concern as drivers fail to notice pedestrians in time. Speeding and other traffic violations, such as failing to obey stop signs or red lights, also significantly increase the risk and severity of collisions. Impaired driving, involving alcohol or drugs, affects both drivers and pedestrians, substantially hindering judgment and reaction times.
Poor visibility, especially during nighttime hours, is another critical element, with over three-quarters of pedestrian deaths occurring in the dark. Pedestrians themselves can also contribute to accidents through risky behaviors, such as crossing outside designated crosswalks (often referred to as jaywalking, though not specifically named in Arizona state law) or crossing against traffic signals. In fact, police investigations in Phoenix revealed that pedestrians were deemed at fault in 85% of fatal collisions in 2024.
Arizona Pedestrian Laws and Responsibilities
Arizona law outlines specific responsibilities for both drivers and pedestrians to promote safety. Pedestrians are legally required to use a sidewalk when one is available. If no sidewalk exists, they must walk on the shoulder of the road, facing oncoming traffic for maximum visibility. At marked crosswalks, vehicles are mandated to yield to pedestrians. However, pedestrians crossing a roadway at any point other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to vehicles. Pedestrians should also not suddenly enter a crosswalk in front of a vehicle that does not have adequate time to stop safely. Additionally, pedestrians are encouraged to cross at corners and intersections, use pedestrian buttons, and wait for walk signals.
City of Phoenix Safety Initiatives
In response to ongoing safety concerns, the City of Phoenix adopted the comprehensive Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan in September 2022. This initiative’s overarching goal is to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries on city streets. The plan employs a “4E approach” encompassing evaluation, engineering, enforcement, and education to create safer road environments for all users.
Under this plan, efforts are underway to implement crucial infrastructure improvements, including enhancing crosswalk visibility with brighter markings, countdown timers, and pedestrian-activated signals. Improved street lighting in areas prone to accidents is also a focus, particularly given the high incidence of nighttime fatalities. The city also utilizes a High Injury Network, which identifies specific corridors and intersections with a high number of crashes resulting in injury or death, allowing for targeted safety interventions. Public awareness campaigns, such as “See Me AZ,” further aim to educate both drivers and pedestrians on safe road behaviors and to increase mutual visibility. These combined strategies reflect a dedicated effort by city officials to reduce the occurrence of severe incidents like the recent one at 59th Avenue and Thomas Road.
FAQ Section
What happened in Phoenix recently regarding pedestrian safety?
A pedestrian was seriously injured after being hit by a driver at the intersection of 59th Avenue and Thomas Road in Phoenix early Wednesday morning. The incident resulted in the closure of the intersection for investigation and the pedestrian was rushed to a local hospital.
What are the current trends for pedestrian accidents in Phoenix?
Phoenix has consistently ranked among the most dangerous U.S. cities for pedestrians. While pedestrian deaths within the Phoenix Police Department’s jurisdiction have shown a decrease from 117 in 2022 to 80 by mid-December 2024, the total number of pedestrian crashes across Arizona has steadily risen each year from 2020 to 2024, reaching 2,079 crashes in 2024. Arizona’s statewide pedestrian fatality rate remains among the highest nationally.
What are the common causes of pedestrian accidents in Phoenix and Arizona?
Common causes include distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving (by both drivers and pedestrians), poor visibility (especially at night), and pedestrians crossing outside designated crosswalks or against traffic signals. Police investigations in Phoenix found pedestrians were at fault in 85% of fatal collisions in 2024.
What are Arizona’s laws regarding pedestrian right-of-way?
In Arizona, pedestrians must use sidewalks if available or walk facing traffic on the shoulder if no sidewalk exists. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. However, pedestrians must yield to vehicles when crossing outside designated crosswalks or when entering a crosswalk in front of a vehicle that cannot stop safely.
What safety initiatives is the City of Phoenix implementing for pedestrians?
The City of Phoenix adopted the Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan in September 2022 to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. This plan uses a “4E approach” (evaluation, engineering, enforcement, education) and includes improving crosswalks, enhancing street lighting, implementing traffic-calming measures, and using a High Injury Network to target dangerous areas. Public awareness campaigns like “See Me AZ” are also part of these efforts.
Key Features of Pedestrian Safety in Phoenix
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Incident | Pedestrian seriously injured at 59th Avenue and Thomas Road. | Local |
| Phoenix Pedestrian Deaths Trend | Decreased from 117 in 2022 to 80 by mid-December 2024 (Phoenix Police jurisdiction). | Local |
| Arizona Pedestrian Fatality Rate | Second-highest nationwide in 2024, with a slight increase from previous year. | State-level |
| Common Causes of Accidents | Distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, poor visibility, improper pedestrian crossing. | Local, State-level, Nationwide |
| Pedestrian Fault in Fatal Collisions (Phoenix) | Pedestrians found at fault in 85% of fatal collisions in 2024. | Local |
| Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan | Adopted by City of Phoenix in September 2022 to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. | Local |
| “4E Approach” | Evaluation, Engineering, Enforcement, and Education – pillars of Vision Zero plan. | Local |
| High Injury Network | Identifies high-crash corridors and intersections in Phoenix for targeted safety interventions. | Local |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
