One Killed in Three-Vehicle Accident at 64th and Cactus in Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ -- May 18, 2022, one person was killed in a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of 64th Street and Cactus Road in Scottsdale.
Authorities say the incident happened shortly before 5:00 a.m. at the crossing of 64th and Cactus. Preliminary investigation suggests a Lexus was southbound on 64th when the driver allegedly failed to stop for a red light at Cactus. The vehicle entered the intersection and hit a box truck; both vehicles went off-course and hit a Honda Civic nearby in a turn lane.
The Lexus driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two drivers involved received minor injuries.
Investigators say speed and impairment may be factors in the wreck.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Truck Accident at 64th and Cactus in Scottsdale
Further investigation might confirm police suspicions about speeding and intoxication, but it's important not to take them for granted until all the potential factors have been accounted for. For instance, reports say the victim ran a light; was it solid red or changing from yellow when they approached? Rather than simply saying speed may have been a factor, exactly how fast was the Lexus traveling at the time? What about the box truck? Leaving right-of-way aside for a moment and remembering that all drivers (but especially professional ones) are supposed to avoid any accident they can, was there any other action the box truck driver could have taken to prevent this accident or at least lessen the damage?
I recognize that last question may not seem fair given the reported circumstances of the wreck, and I want to be clear that I'm not pointing accusatory fingers here. People don't always realize that professional truck drivers have an increased standard of care in the eyes of the law, meaning that because they drive for a living they're required to exercise even greater caution than ordinary motorists. That doesn't mean they can magically avoid every crash, nor that they're always at fault for them, but rather that certain extra details must be considered when they're involved in collisions. If they could have done something differently it raises questions about why they didn't, but it's just as possible there was no time or room to take action.
The point of all this isn't to overcomplicate things or find a way to blame someone unfairly. I'm really just trying to say what I always do: When people are hurt or killed in accidents like this it's important to put in the work and find every contributing factor to that. Folks are often tempted to jump to conclusions based on what little reports can say at first, but proper investigation will dig deeper to find the truth. The victim's loved ones deserve as many answers as can be provided. If there are any other steps to take, knowing that will largely depend on what those answers turn out to be.
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