PHOENIX — A man is dead after an early-morning crash in north Phoenix, a spokesman with the city police department said. Police expect the intersection to be closed for some time pending an investigation.
The two-vehicle crash happened around 6:22 a.m. at the intersection of Deer Valley Road and 27th Avenue.
When first responders arrived, they found a car crashed into a light pole with the man inside. The man, later identified as 60-year-old Christian Wilch, died on the scene of the crash, police said.
The woman driving the other vehicle involved was reportedly taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
According to detectives, Wilch was making a left turn from Deer Valley Road into a private drive when he hit a vehicle traveling westbound. The driver of the other vehicle did not show any signs of intoxication, police said.
The identity of the woman driving the other car was not released.
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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.
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