Phoenix, AZ (July 3, 2026) – A 60-year-old woman died after being struck by a pickup truck driver while riding her bicycle on the sidewalk along Bethany Home Road in central Phoenix on Thursday afternoon, July 2. Officers were called to the intersection of 35th Avenue and Bethany Home Road at approximately 4 p.m.
The driver was leaving a business when he struck the cyclist. He remained at the scene and showed no signs of impairment, according to police.
The woman, identified as Jennifer Lam, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver’s identity was not included in the initial accident report.
The crash remains under active investigation. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jennifer Lam.
What Happens When a Vehicle Strikes a Cyclist on a Sidewalk?
Cyclists riding on sidewalks face a specific risk at driveways and business exits, where drivers pulling out may not check for or expect someone approaching along the pedestrian path. A driver leaving a parking area typically focuses on gaps in traffic on the road rather than on the sidewalk, leaving cyclists in a blind spot. This type of conflict between the vehicles exiting parking spaces and sidewalk users is a recognized pattern in urban cycling safety research.
When a driver strikes a cyclist and remains at the scene without signs of impairment, the investigation focuses on the circumstances of the maneuver rather than the driver’s condition. Investigators examine the driver’s sightlines from the exit point, the vehicle’s speed, and whether the cyclist was visible before the moment of contact. Business entrances and exits are equipped with surveillance cameras that can help fill in details not captured by witnesses.
Older cyclists can face a higher risk of fatal injury from crashes that younger riders might survive, partly due to differences in bone density and the body’s ability to recover from trauma. Medical teams note a patient’s age as one factor in treatment planning, since it can affect both the severity of injuries and the pace of recovery.
