x
Breaking News
More () »

Fatal crash in west Phoenix may have involved impairment, police say

The vehicle crashed into an electrical pole near 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road, leaving one woman dead and two men hurt, police said.

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.

>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.

Up to Speed

Catch up on the latest news and stories on our 12News YouTube playlist here. 

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 

Find more tips on the department's Driving Safety Homepage on ADOT's website here. 

"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. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out