Gladys Woods Arrested in Fatal Tolleson Pedestrian Crash
Investigation focuses on hit-and-run in fatal Tolleson pedestrian accident
Gladys Woods, 58, was arrested after she hit and killed a male pedestrian with her car in Tolleson, police said. The crash happened near 83rd Avenue and Van Buren Street. Woods was driving a Toyota RAV-4 eastbound when she struck the man. Surveillance video showed the RAV-4 pulling over after the crash. A woman, identified as Woods, got out of the SUV, looked at the rear of the vehicle, and then looked toward the man lying in the road. Woods then got back into the RAV-4 and drove away.
Paramedics rushed the man to a hospital, where he died. Authorities have not yet identified the man. About an hour after the crash, Woods' husband called police and said his wife was the driver. Woods later told investigators she saw the man hit her windshield but panicked because of existing legal issues.
The Tolleson Police Department is investigating the fatal collision on Van Buren Street. Court records show the Toyota RAV-4 involved had significant front-end damage and a shattered windshield. Authorities charged Gladys Woods with one felony count of leaving the scene of a deadly accident. At the time of her arrest, Woods was reportedly driving with a suspended license and had two active misdemeanor warrants from Glendale and Phoenix. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Woods inspecting the vehicle after the crash before she left the scene.
National Legal Analyst Cristina Perez, Attorney at Perez Law Group. "An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death. When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, hit-and-run, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist."
Arizona wrongful death claims
Under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 12-611, certain family members may pursue a wrongful death claim when a person's death results from another party's negligent or wrongful act. Those who may file a claim include the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased. These claims allow families to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. This may include funeral and burial expenses, lost future income, and the loss of companionship and emotional support.
Comparative fault in Arizona
Arizona operates under a pure comparative fault system, as outlined in A.R.S. § 12-2505. This legal framework allows for the recovery of damages even if the deceased individual contributed to the crash. The amount of damages awarded would be reduced proportionally to the deceased's percentage of fault. However, if the deceased is found to be solely responsible for the crash, a claim for damages may not proceed. Perez noted that in pedestrian accidents, the law often considers the "duty of care" drivers have to pedestrians, particularly in areas like crosswalks or near schools.
Statute of limitations for Arizona wrongful death actions
The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in Arizona is generally two years from the date of the individual's death, as specified in A.R.S. § 12-542. However, certain circumstances, such as claims against governmental entities or cases involving concealed evidence, may alter this timeline. Establishing liability under state law often involves a careful review of the right-of-way and visibility conditions present at the time of the collision.