At the scene, authorities found out that a pickup truck collided with a light rail train. The circumstances under which the two crashed
Phoenix, AZ – One person was killed and several others were injured in a collision involving a train in central Phoenix early Tuesday morning, according to the Phoenix Fire Department.
Authorities received a call at about 5 a.m. December 30, about the wreck near Central Avenue and Indian School Road.
At the scene, authorities found out that a pickup truck collided with a light rail train. The circumstances under which the two crashed were yet to be determined. The accident caused the train to derail.
The Phoenix Police Department and Phoenix firefighters responded to the incident. Medics evaluated seven people at the scene.
One person was declared deceased at the scene while four others were transported with minor injuries. Two other parties did not need to be transported.
Authorities reported that the crash damaged an Overhead Catenary System pole.
The cause of the wreck is still under investigation.
Phoenix is the epicenter for traffic collisions in Arizona, consistently leading the state in total crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The city, which ranks among the top 10 deadliest major U.S. cities for traffic fatalities per capita, sees an average of over 100 accidents daily. Recent data from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) indicates that while statewide fatalities saw slight decreases in 2023 and 2024, the overall volume of crashes remains a serious concern. In 2024, Phoenix experienced approximately 37,472 total crashes, resulting in 265 fatal crashes and over 10,449 injuries. This makes up roughly one-third of all accidents across the state. The primary contributing factors to these incidents include speeding (a factor in about 34% of deadly crashes), distracted driving, and impairment from alcohol or drugs. Alcohol-related incidents are a particular issue, with Saturday nights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. showing the highest rates. Vulnerable road users are disproportionately affected; for example, pedestrians accounted for nearly 250 deaths in the state in 2024, a number driven by driver inattention and a failure to use crosswalks.
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