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TUCSON, Maricopa County, Ariz., Oct. 4, 2026 — A woman died after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing a road in Tucson on Friday afternoon, October 2, according to the Tucson Police Department.
The crash happened near the 7200 block of East Golf Links Road, police said. A 52-year-old woman, identified by the Tucson Police Department as Andrea Lynn Behlers, was crossing the roadway when she was hit by a Toyota Tacoma.
Behlers was taken to a hospital, where she later died. She was not in a crosswalk at the time of the crash.
The driver was not impaired. No arrests or citations have been made, and the department has not released further details on how the crash occurred.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Who Is Most at Risk When Crossing Roads Outside Tucson Crosswalks
Pedestrians struck outside marked crosswalks face a different set of risks than those in intersections built for foot traffic. Wider arterial roads, higher posted speeds, and longer gaps between signals all raise the chance that a driver won't see someone crossing in time to stop.
Older adults are among the most exposed in these crashes. Age-related declines in vision, reaction time, and walking speed can make it harder to judge gaps in traffic or finish crossing a multi-lane road before a signal changes. Crashes involving pedestrians in their 50s and older often occur on roads with long, unbroken stretches between designated crossings.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,472 people were killed in traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2023. While that figure covers large trucks broadly rather than pickups alone, it reflects how vehicle size and weight shape outcomes when a person on foot is struck, regardless of where the crash happens on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers share the road with trucks and larger vehicles more safely?
Leave extra following distance, avoid lingering in blind spots, and assume a truck or pickup needs more room and time to stop or turn than a passenger car.
What should I do after a crash involving a commercial or larger vehicle?
Call 911, stay at the scene if it's safe, seek medical evaluation even for minor injuries, and get the names of responding officers and any available witnesses.
Why do trucks and pickups need more distance to stop than cars?
Added weight increases stopping distance and reduces how quickly a driver can react to someone entering the roadway, which is one reason crashes involving these vehicles tend to be more severe.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Tucson, AZ
Anyone who witnesses or is involved in a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately and wait for police and paramedics to arrive. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is important, since some injuries from being struck by a vehicle don't show symptoms right away.
If you're able, note what you saw, including the location, lighting conditions, and any details about the vehicles involved. A police report will document the crash and can be requested later from the responding department. Family members of someone hurt or killed in a pedestrian crash can also contact the investigating agency directly for updates as the case moves forward.
