PHOENIX — A woman is dead and two men are in the hospital after a car crash early Saturday morning in west Phoenix. Police said that impairment may have played a part in the crash.
The crash reportedly happened just before 3:15 a.m. near 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road.
When police arrived, they found that a vehicle had swerved off the roadway after one of the men driving lost control of the car. The vehicle then struck a nearby electrical pole, causing it to roll onto its side.
The woman, a passenger in the vehicle in her early 20s, was thrown from the vehicle and suffered serious injuries. First responders took her to a local hospital where she later died from her injuries.
Authorities say that both men are expected to survive.
No arrests have been made, but the investigation remains open, Phoenix police said.
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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.