Police say Cadena was traveling eastbound on McDowell Road at a high rate of speed when he struck a second vehicle that was making a left turn onto 67th Avenue. The impact then involved a third car. Two women in the second vehicle were seriously hurt but are expected to recover. The driver of the third car was treated at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation, and additional details will be released as they become available.
We extend our sincere condolences to Orlando Cadena’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Fatal High-Speed Crashes at Intersections in Phoenix: What the Data Shows
High-speed collisions at signalized intersections are among the deadliest types of crashes seen on Phoenix roadways. When a vehicle is traveling well above the posted limit, the force of impact increases dramatically, leaving little chance for other drivers to react in time. Intersections along major corridors like McDowell Road see significant traffic volume, which raises the stakes when a driver loses control or fails to yield.
Left-turn crashes are particularly common at busy urban intersections. A turning vehicle depends on oncoming traffic obeying speed limits, and when that does not happen, the results can be devastating. Arizona traffic safety data has consistently pointed to speed as one of the leading factors in fatal crashes across Maricopa County.
