GLENDALE, Ariz. — A driver sustained life-threatening injuries Monday morning after their vehicle flipped several times near Apollo High School in Glendale.
The 27-year-old driver was allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed near 45th and Northern avenues before losing control and striking a gate near the high school campus.
Jose Santiago, spokesperson for the City of Glendale, said the driver identified as Tristen Carter, was ejected from the vehicle when he crashed.
“From what we can tell, he was attempting to turn right or eastbound onto Northern, lost control of his car, rolled several times and collided into the gate," Santiago said.
Sean Sanders said he was up at 2:30 a.m. when he heard the driver of the car revving up their engine while driving by outside his house.
Sanders said it’s common for cars to speed near his neighborhood.
“I skateboard out here and sometimes, it's unsafe to be on the main road right over there because it's just so straight,” Sanders said. “People like to speed.”
Another neighbor who spoke with 12News said speeding is such a concern for him that he’s brought it up to the police to try to bring change.
According to the Glendale Police Department, since June 28, 2022, and June 17 of this year, there have been a total of 14 reported crashes between 45th and Northern avenues and no reported deaths.
Santiago said police and the city have done all they can do to help people slow down in residential areas.
“There were speed bumps already in place just to slow individuals down, the speed limit is 25," Santiago said.
Back in April, a 13-year-old was hit by a car while riding her bike over on 47th and 13th avenues.
Police said since June 28, 2022, and June 16 of this year, 34 crash reports had been recorded and two deaths had occurred there.
“It’s very important for people to take control of their driving habits, make sure they're slowing down in those residential areas," Santiago said.
The crash remains under investigation and it has not been determined if the driver was impaired.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Policía: Conductor herido luego de que su auto se volcara cerca de una escuela en Glendale
UP TO SPEED
What is the Valley?:
“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.
The Valley is made up of various major cities other than Phoenix, including:
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Glendale
- Surprise
- Peoria
- Gilbert
- El Mirage
- Avondale
- Litchfield Park
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
Whether a city is in the “East Valley” or “West Valley” depends on where it is in relation to Phoenix.
The cities of the Valley have a combined population of 4,845,832 people, according to the 2020 United States Census. This makes it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country right behind the Boston and Atlanta areas.
How big is Maricopa County?
Maricopa County is the United States’ 4th largest county in terms of population with 4,485,414 people, according to the 2020 Census.
The county contains around 63% of Arizona’s population and is 9,224 square miles. That makes the county larger than seven U.S. states (Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire).
One of the largest park systems in the nation is also located in Maricopa County. The county has an estimated 120,000 acres of open space parks that includes hundreds of miles of trails, nature centers and campgrounds.
The county’s seat is located in Phoenix, which is also the state capital and the census-designated 5th most populous city in the United States.
The county was named after the Maricopa, or Piipaash, Native American Tribe.