PHOENIX — A man is dead after his motorized scooter swerved across the center line of the roadway and struck a car head-on, a spokesperson with the Phoenix Police Department said.
Just before midnight on Saturday, officers were called to a vehicle collision near 2nd Street and Glendale Avenue.
There, police found 55-year-old Thomas Michael Lee suffering from critical injuries. Authorities said he was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased by the staff.
Right now, it's unknown if Lee was impaired at the time of the crash.
According to early reports, Lee had been riding a motorized scooter west on Glendale when he swerved into the eastbound lanes, striking another vehicle head-on.
The driver of that vehicle was not injured, and police said that impairment isn't believed to be a factor with that driver.
The investigation is still underway, and details are subject to change.
Deaths on Arizona roads
Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that roadway fatalities have been gradually rising in Arizona over the last decade:
2011: 825 deaths
2012: 821 deaths
2013: 844 deaths
2014: 774 deaths
2015: 895 deaths
2016: 952 deaths
2017: 1,000 deaths
2018: 1,010 deaths
2019: 982 deaths
2020: 1,057 deaths
ADOT offers driving tips on its website to help keep people safe on the road.
"There’s always room for improvement when it comes to road safety," the department said on its website.
ADOT's suggestions include:
Don’t speed or drive aggressively
Never drive while under the influence of substances
Avoid distractions while driving
Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers are doing the same
When an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, move over
Stay extra aware in work zones
Be prepared for weather conditions that make driving dangerous
"Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511, downloading the AZ 511 app and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT," the department said.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on our 12News YouTube playlist here.