Evon Zubah Killed in Mesa Car Accident
The 51-year-old passenger died after a sedan ran a red light and struck a van on State Route 24
Evon Zubah, 51, was killed in a two-vehicle collision on State Route 24 near Signal Butte Road in Mesa, Arizona, on Sunday, according to police.
A sedan driver ran a red light just before 9 a.m. and crashed into a large passenger van carrying 10 people. The impact caused the van to roll over and land upside down. Zubah, a passenger in the van, died from injuries. Seven other people from the van and the driver of the sedan were taken to local hospitals. All eight patients suffered minor injuries and are expected to survive.
Investigators do not believe impairment was a factor in the collision. police have not said if the driver of the sedan will face criminal charges.
The department expressed condolences to the victim's family and friends following the tragic incident. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, a total of 1,228 people lost their lives in traffic crashes across the state in 2024.
Why did the sedan run the red light on State Route 24?
The sudden loss of Zubah has left family members and the Mesa community searching for answers.
Cristina Perez, an attorney at Perez Law Group, said, "Red‑light crashes unfold in seconds, with vehicles colliding at sharp angles that leave occupants dangerously exposed, often causing severe trauma and turning intersections into sites of sudden tragedy."
An attorney can step in to preserve evidence, manage insurance complications, and guide surviving relatives through the difficult process of coping with both financial burdens and the emotional weight of tragedy, added Perez, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, urban crashes far outnumber rural crashes statewide, with 105,300 urban collisions reported in 2024. Intersection safety remains a critical focus for traffic engineers.
What are the next steps for the injured van passengers?
While Mesa police continue to investigate the intersection collision, understanding the full scope of liability is critical for the surviving passengers.
"Distraction and impairment remain leading contributors to red-light violations, and resulting consequences at busy intersections can prove catastrophic for every person involved," said Gabe Miller, a national legal analyst for Accident News and attorney at Perez Law Group.
ADOT reports that single-vehicle crashes accounted for 14.91% of all crashes in 2024, highlighting the severe consequences when multiple vehicles are involved in high-impact intersection collisions.
Arizona wrongful death statute
Under A.R.S. § 12-611, surviving family members of a person killed in a traffic collision may file a wrongful death action in Arizona. The state applies pure comparative fault when determining liability. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages under Arizona's wrongful death statute may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral and burial expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering. Arizona law designates specific parties — typically a surviving spouse, children, or parents — as eligible to bring a wrongful death action.