A woman riding a bicycle in a marked crosswalk was struck and killed in north Phoenix on June 9, 2026. She had the right of way. The driver who hit her dragged her approximately 150 feet, then stopped — not to help, but to let a passenger out. Then he drove away.
Police later arrested 47-year-old Martin Trinidad Sanchez at a family member’s home. He now faces a charge of failure to remain at the scene of a collision involving death, as well as one count of causing death by a moving violation. The crash occurred near the intersection of Greenway Road and Cave Creek Road before 6 a.m. — a busy north Phoenix corridor where commuters, cyclists, and motorcyclists share the road every day.
This case is a sobering reminder of what vulnerable road users face in Arizona. The victim was doing everything right. She was in a marked crosswalk. She had the right of way. None of that protected her from a driver who chose to flee.
A Crash That Shocked a Community
According to reporting by AZFamily, Phoenix Police Sgt. Lorraine Fernandez responded directly to the behavior that followed the crash, urging drivers in similar situations to stop and cooperate with law enforcement rather than flee. “Just because you were in the vehicle doesn’t necessarily mean you were at fault,” Sgt. Fernandez told reporters. “But we don’t have that information if you don’t stop.”
Other bystanders did stop. They provided information to officers at the scene — a detail that may prove critical to the prosecution. The intersection at Greenway and Cave Creek was closed throughout the morning before reopening that afternoon.
The victim has not yet been publicly identified. Her family deserves answers, accountability, and justice.
Arizona’s Roads Are Dangerous for Anyone Not Inside a Car
This crash didn’t happen in a vacuum. It reflects a documented, worsening trend on Arizona’s roadways.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, there were 1,379 bicycle crashes statewide in 2024 — the highest number recorded in the past five years. Forty-four cyclists were killed, and more than 1,300 were injured. Maricopa County, which encompasses Phoenix, accounted for approximately 70% of fatal bicycle crashes in the state.
The picture for motorcyclists is equally grim. Arizona recorded 219 motorcyclist fatalities in 2024 — a significant figure even after a 16.4% decline from 2023’s total of 262. That prior-year number had been the highest in at least two decades, driven in part by a 33% increase in motorcycle registrations across the state since 2019.
Both groups — cyclists and motorcyclists — share a critical vulnerability: they have no steel frame around them. At an intersection, that absence can be fatal.
Why Intersections Are the Most Dangerous Places for Vulnerable Road Users
The Cave Creek and Greenway intersection is not unique in its danger. Data from ADOT consistently shows that intersections are where cyclists and motorcyclists are most at risk. According to crash data analysis, approximately 29% of all bicycle accidents in Arizona occur at intersections — often because drivers fail to yield, misjudge speed, or simply aren’t looking for anyone who isn’t driving a car.
For motorcyclists, the physics are similar. A turning vehicle that doesn’t see a motorcycle in its path creates the same catastrophic outcome. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) consistently identifies failure-to-yield collisions at intersections as one of the leading causes of motorcycle fatalities nationally.
Morning commutes add another layer of risk. Low sun angles, limited visibility, and roads that haven’t fully warmed can create hazardous conditions for riders and cyclists alike. The 6 a.m. timing of the Phoenix crash reflects exactly those conditions.
What Arizona Law Requires After a Crash
Arizona has strict statutory obligations for drivers involved in any collision that results in injury or death.
Under Arizona Revised Statute § 28-661, a driver involved in an accident causing injury or death must immediately stop at or near the scene, provide their name, address, and registration information, and render reasonable assistance — including calling for medical help if needed. This is not optional and it is not discretionary.
The penalties reflect how seriously the state treats this obligation:
- Leaving the scene of a fatal crash is a Class 3 felony under ARS § 28-661, carrying two to eight years in prison.
- Leaving the scene after causing serious physical injury is also a felony, with overlapping sentencing exposure.
- All injury-related convictions trigger mandatory license revocation.
- There is no statute of limitations on felony hit-and-run charges in Arizona. Drivers can be prosecuted years after a crash, whenever they are identified.
Sanchez is charged with failure to remain at the scene of a collision involving death — a charge that carries significant prison exposure. The second charge, causing death by moving violation, adds further criminal exposure tied to the underlying conduct of the crash itself.
The Civil Side of Hit-and-Run Cases
Criminal charges and civil liability are separate tracks. A driver’s arrest and prosecution does not automatically compensate the victim’s family. A wrongful death claim, filed in civil court, is the legal mechanism through which surviving family members can seek financial accountability for medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of companionship, and other damages resulting from a fatal crash.
Arizona’s wrongful death statute (ARS § 12-611) allows certain family members — including spouses, children, and parents — to bring claims when a death results from another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. These claims are independent of any criminal case and can proceed even if the driver is ultimately not convicted.
Hit-and-run cases can also implicate uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Depending on the victim’s insurance policy, UM coverage may apply when the at-fault driver flees and their identity is initially unknown. An attorney can evaluate whether that coverage is available and how to pursue it effectively.
Motorcycle Safety and the Lessons That Apply to All Riders
While the Phoenix crash involved a bicyclist, the hazards it illustrates apply equally to motorcyclists navigating Arizona’s intersections. Both groups are disproportionately vulnerable to inattentive drivers, both face serious injury when struck, and both are significantly underprotected by the assumption that other drivers will see them.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation identifies several behaviors that reduce the risk of intersection collisions for riders:
- Cover the brake when approaching any intersection, particularly during left-turn scenarios like the one in the Phoenix crash.
- Ride in the visibility window — position yourself in the lane where you’re most visible to cross-traffic and turning vehicles.
- Watch for vehicles about to turn: a car at a turn lane or an intersection with a delayed signal is a potential threat until proven otherwise.
- Wear high-visibility gear: reflective or brightly colored riding gear substantially increases the chance of being seen, particularly in dawn or dusk conditions.
- Take a safety course: Arizona participates in the MSF Basic RiderCourse, which is available through multiple providers in the Phoenix metro area and is required for new motorcycle endorsements.
Cyclists face the same calculus. Helmets, lights, reflective vests, and defensive route selection all reduce risk. But no amount of preparation on the rider’s part can fully offset a driver who is inattentive, impaired, or — as in this case — simply choosing to flee.
What to Do If You or a Family Member Is Hurt in a Hit-and-Run Crash
The moments after a hit-and-run crash are chaotic. These steps can protect both physical safety and legal rights:
- Call 911 immediately. Even if the driver is gone, police need to document the scene. Skid marks, debris patterns, and surveillance footage all have short windows before they’re lost.
- Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger of further harm. Spinal injuries can be worsened by movement.
- Gather everything you can. Bystander names, partial plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, dashcam footage from nearby vehicles — all of it matters.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Adrenaline masks pain, and documentation of injuries from the day of the crash is critical to any future claim.
- Report to your own insurance carrier, but do not provide a recorded statement or accept any offer without consulting an attorney first.
- Contact an attorney before speaking with any insurance adjuster. Hit-and-run cases involve complex coverage questions, and the first offer is rarely the appropriate one.
Arizona has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims under ARS § 12-542. That window begins at the date of the crash, not the date the driver is identified. Acting promptly protects legal options.
Silent Witness and Community Accountability
Phoenix police have asked anyone with additional information about the Greenway and Cave Creek crash to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish speakers. Tips can also be submitted online at silentwitness.org.
The bystanders who stopped at the scene and provided information to officers deserve recognition. Community accountability — people who witness crashes and choose to speak up — is often the difference between a case that gets prosecuted and one that goes cold.
Injured in a Phoenix Motorcycle or Bicycle Accident? Know Your Rights.
When a driver’s negligence or criminal conduct causes serious injury or death, the road to accountability isn’t automatic. Insurance companies will minimize. Cases get complicated. Families are left managing grief while also trying to navigate a legal system they’ve never encountered.
The Law Office of Joel W. Black, LLC represents accident victims across Phoenix and the surrounding Arizona communities, including those injured in motorcycle accidents, bicycle crashes, and hit-and-run collisions. Admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in 2002 and focused exclusively on personal injury law, Joel W. Black works on a contingency-fee basis — meaning there are no upfront costs, and no fees unless your case is won.
If you’ve been seriously injured, or if you’ve lost someone in a crash caused by another driver’s recklessness or failure to remain at the scene, speaking with an experienced Phoenix personal injury attorney is an important first step in understanding your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the criminal penalties for hit-and-run in Arizona?
Leaving the scene of a crash that causes death is a Class 3 felony under ARS § 28-661, with a sentencing range of two to eight years in prison. If serious physical injury — rather than death — is involved, the felony classification and prison exposure overlap. All injury-related convictions result in mandatory license revocation. Arizona has no statute of limitations on felony hit-and-run charges.
Can a victim’s family sue in civil court even if criminal charges are filed?
Yes. Criminal charges and civil lawsuits proceed on separate legal tracks. A wrongful death claim under Arizona’s ARS § 12-611 can be filed regardless of whether criminal prosecution is underway or has resulted in a conviction. Civil cases use a lower standard of proof and can result in compensation for medical costs, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship.
What if the hit-and-run driver had no insurance?
Arizona law requires drivers to carry auto insurance, but many do not comply. If the at-fault driver is uninsured — or was initially unidentified — the victim’s own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply. An attorney can review the policy and identify all available sources of compensation.
Are motorcyclists and bicyclists treated differently in Arizona personal injury law?
Both are considered vulnerable road users, and Arizona law protects their right to pursue damages when another driver’s negligence causes injury or death. The same statutes apply. The practical differences are in how fault is assessed, how insurance companies behave, and how injuries are documented — all areas where experienced legal representation is critical.
How long does a family have to file a wrongful death claim in Arizona?
Two years from the date of death, under ARS § 12-542. Missing this deadline typically forecloses the right to pursue compensation entirely, regardless of the facts of the case. Consulting an attorney as early as possible ensures that evidence is preserved and deadlines are not missed.
What is Silent Witness and how does it work?
Silent Witness is an anonymous tip program serving the Phoenix metro area. Tips can be called in at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or submitted at silentwitness.org. Spanish speakers can call 480-TESTIGO. Tipsters may remain anonymous and can receive cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest and indictment.
What should a motorcyclist do to stay safer at intersections in Arizona?
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends covering the brake when approaching any intersection, positioning in the most visible part of the lane, watching specifically for vehicles preparing to turn across your path, wearing high-visibility gear, and completing a formal rider safety course. Arizona requires a motorcycle endorsement, which involves both a written test and a riding skills evaluation.
What evidence matters most in a hit-and-run case?
Surveillance camera footage (from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, and dashcams) is often decisive. Witness statements, physical evidence like paint transfer and skid marks, cell phone records, and vehicle tracking data can all play a role. Collecting and preserving this evidence quickly — ideally through an attorney who can issue preservation letters — significantly strengthens a claim.
