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SURPRISE, Maricopa County, Ariz., Sept. 20, 2026 — A pedestrian was critically injured early on Saturday morning, September 19, after being struck by a vehicle near Bell Rd and Dysart Rd in Surprise.
First responders were called to the area around 4:30 a.m. following reports of the crash. Officers arrived to find a pedestrian with serious injuries, according to the Surprise Police Department. The pedestrian was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
The police said the driver stayed at the scene and has cooperated with investigators, and said they do not believe impairment was a factor in the crash, though the investigation remains open.
Westbound Bell Rd was shut down for several hours while officers worked to determine what led up to the crash, according to authorities. No further details have been released.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
What the Numbers Show About Pedestrian Crashes
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian deaths accounted for 18 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2023. That figure means nearly one in five people killed on U.S. roads that year were walking, not riding in a vehicle, a share that has grown steadily over the past decade even as other categories of road deaths have leveled off.
Early morning hours carry outsized risk for pedestrians. Darkness reduces driver reaction time and visibility, and many pedestrian crashes cluster in the hours before sunrise or after sunset, when foot traffic is lower but so is the chance a driver spots someone crossing or walking along a roadway in time to stop.
Arizona has consistently ranked among the states with higher pedestrian fatality rates per capita, a pattern tied in part to wide arterial roads, higher speed limits, and stretches with limited lighting or marked crossings. Crashes like the one in Surprise usually happen at exactly these kinds of intersections, away from signalized crossings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers lower the chance of hitting someone on foot?
Slowing down near intersections and unlit roadways, scanning both sides of the road before proceeding, and avoiding distractions are among the most effective habits. Extra caution is warranted at dawn, dusk, and overnight hours when visibility drops.
What injuries commonly result from pedestrian crashes?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles sometimes suffer broken bones, head and spinal injuries, and internal injuries. Severity generally depends on vehicle speed and the point of impact.
What typically causes these crashes?
Common factors include driver distraction, low visibility, speeding, and pedestrians crossing outside marked crosswalks. Investigators look at all of these elements when reconstructing a crash.
Does vehicle speed affect a pedestrian’s chance of survival?
Yes. Survival rates drop sharply as vehicle speed increases at the moment of impact, which is why speed limits and driver speed near crossings matter so much for pedestrian safety.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Surprise, AZ
Anyone involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately and stay at the scene until officers arrive. If you are the pedestrian and able to do so, seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some injuries such as internal bleeding or concussions are not immediately obvious.
Try to note details while they are fresh: the time, lighting conditions, and location of the crash. If you witness a crash in Surprise, provide your contact information to responding officers so investigators can follow up. Follow-up medical care and a copy of the official police report are both useful if you need to file an insurance claim later.
