PHOENIX — A woman died after being hit by an SUV in west Phoenix early Wednesday morning, city police said.
The crash happened near 67th Avenue and Clarendon Road around 6 a.m. When police arrived, they found a woman lying in the roadway. First responders pronounced her dead on the scene, officials said.
She was later identified as Michelle Soto, 26. Police said she was standing in the roadway and was not in a crosswalk when she was hit.
The driver involved in the crash stayed on the scene, showed no sign of impairment and cooperated with authorities.
The investigation remains active as evidence from the scene continues to be processed.
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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.