Phoenix, AZ – Jessica Lightner Killed in Pedestrian Accident at Oak St & 30th St

Phoenix, AZ (December 26, 2020) – The driver of a pickup truck hit and killed a woman in Phoenix early Saturday morning and has now turned himself in to the police.

Per reports from the Phoenix Police Department, the accident occurred around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Police say that a 1997 Nissan truck was traveling westbound on Oak Street when it hit the 33-year-old woman near 30th Street. Sgt. Maggie Cox identified the victim as Jessica Lightner and said that emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene of the crash.

The driver fled the scene, but Cox said witnesses helped police find the truck in a neighborhood about a half-mile from where it hit Lightner.

Officers say the driver, identified as 35-year-old Sergio Campa Nareja, and the passenger called police around 11:30 a.m. and turned themselves in. Detectives interviewed both men and arrested Nareja for leaving the scene of the crash.

The accident remains under investigation at this time.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Jessica Lightner.

Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in Arizona 

Per reports from authorities with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona consistently claims a higher pedestrian death rate compared to the rest of the United States. In fact, nearly 300 pedestrians were killed in Arizona in 2017 alone, translating to a dramatic rate of 1.61 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people. With these numbers, Arizona’s pedestrian-fatality rate is more than double the national average, which is only 0.8 per 100,000.

It’s clear that fatal pedestrian accidents are an unfortunately common fact of life in Arizona. When it comes to fatal accidents and pedestrian incidents across the state, victims and families are particularly vulnerable in the aftermath. After a pedestrian accident, victims and families are often left with financial difficulties, long-term physical issues, and emotional trauma. When victims succumb to their injuries, grieving families are left to pick up the pieces. Family members may be forced to deal with expensive medical and funeral expenses in the aftermath of their loved one’s death.

If you have suffered in a pedestrian accident as a result of another driver’s negligence or lost a loved one as a result of a pedestrian accident, contact a Phoenix personal injury attorney to safeguard your legal rights.

We will gladly review the facts of your case and tailor our advice to match the specific needs of your case. Every consultation is free and there is no obligation to retain us. So at worst, you get free advice after you’ve suffered due to an accident that occurred through no fault of your own.

Our attorneys at ELG do not cut corners, and we won’t use intake specialists or a non-attorney to talk or meet with you. We guarantee your consultation will be with one of our experienced injury attorneys that only handle accident matters, so you can feel confident and rest assured that we will answer all your questions.

Our Arizona pedestrian accident attorneys at ELG are dedicated to helping you get the justice you deserve after these unfortunate incidents. Our experienced, highly-skilled injury lawyers in Phoenix have spent years fighting for both victims and their families. Contact us to set up your free consultation at (623) 877-3600 or https://www.ELGphx.com/. We’re here to help you in your time of need.

Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that, to your knowledge, is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.

Disclaimer: As members of the local Phoenix and broader Arizona community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. However, this information should not be misconstrued as legal advice, and you should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation.