According to the Phoenix Police Department, Joseph Valentino Jr. was killed in the crash that took place around 9:24 p.m., May 27, on 44th Street and Bellview Street, north of Loop 202 and south of McDowell Road.
Phoenix, AZ – A 69-year-old man pushing a shopping cart was fatally struck by a suspected DUI driver Wednesday night near an intersection in Phoenix.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, Joseph Valentino Jr. was killed in the crash that took place around 9:24 p.m., May 27, on 44th Street and Bellview Street, north of Loop 202 and south of McDowell Road.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Valentino Jr. was pushing a shopping cart across 44th Street outside a crosswalk when he was hit by an 18-year-old driver.
First responders found Valentino Jr. unresponsive. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by the Phoenix Fire Department.
The driver stopped and remained at the scene after the crash.
A 19-year-old man sitting in the passenger’s seat suffered minor injuries.
Phoenix PD’s detectives evaluated the driver for impairment and found that he had signs and symptoms of impairment. The detectives arrested the driver and sought a search warrant for a blood sample to establish if he was driving under the influence. Any possible charges against the driver were pending the toxicology results.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.