PEORIA, Ariz. — A Peoria woman died Saturday night after police say she ran a red light in her SUV and crashed into another car.
The crash happened around 9:45 p.m. at the intersection of Cactus Road and 79th Avenue.
Peoria police say 45-year-old Cynthia Tapper blew through a stop light and crashed into a black SUV that had the right of way.
Tapper wasn’t wearing a seatbelt either and was ejected. She was seriously injured and later died at a hospital.
The driver of the black SUV was okay and is helping police during the investigation.
The intersection was closed for several hours while police figured out what happened, but roads have since reopened.
Police are still investigating if DUI was a factor.
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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.