PHOENIX — A 21-year-old Phoenix resident has died after he was ejected from his vehicle early Sunday morning in a crash reported on the Loop 202 freeway.
At about 2:45 a.m., a 2014 Dodge Ram was traveling westbound in the HOV lane when it struck a 2010 Nissan Sentra, which was in the HOV disabled from an earlier injury collision, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
The collision resulted in Francisco O. Lopez getting ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The at-fault driver, identified as Nereyda O. Valenzuela, was transported to a local hospital for possible injuries and is facing a criminal charge of manslaughter, DPS said.
The crash happened at milepost 1 near 24th Street.
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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.
