Valerie Chesnut Killed in Litchfield Park Pedestrian Acci...
DPS searching for white dual-axle pickup truck towing a car-hauler trailer
Valerie Chesnut, 52, of Goodyear, was killed in a hit-and-run crash involving a commercial vehicle on Loop 303 near Northern Avenue in Litchfield Park on May 16, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Troopers and paramedics responded to the southbound lanes at approximately 2:38 a.m. after receiving reports of a four-vehicle collision. The initial impact occurred in the left lane when a heavy-duty, dual-axle pickup truck towing a car-hauler trailer struck the woman and fled the scene.
Two subsequent vehicles then struck the victim as she lay in the road. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the fleeing commercial-style truck may have been traveling toward California. The Vehicular Crimes Unit is actively searching for the driver and the white dually pickup.
Arizona recorded 263 pedestrian deaths in 2024, highlighting the ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users across the state's highway system.
What is the investigation status of the hit-and-run?
DPS investigators are currently analyzing debris left at the scene and reviewing highway camera footage to identify the white dual-axle truck. In commercial hit-and-run pedestrian accidents such as this, law enforcement relies heavily on public tips and regional weigh station records to track fleeing vehicles.
What are the impacts of fatal pedestrian accidents?
Families navigating the sudden loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run face a complex path forward while authorities search for the fleeing driver.
Cristina Perez, a national legal analyst for Accident News and attorney at Perez Law Group, said, "Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of income and companionship, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident."
How common are pedestrian deaths in Arizona?
According to Gabe Miller, a national legal analyst for Accident News and attorney at Perez Law Group, "Having the proper resources is extremely important in order to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence."
The state consistently ranks among the highest in the nation for pedestrian risks. Arizona has ranked among the states with relatively high pedestrian fatality rates in recent years, underscoring ongoing safety concerns on high-speed corridors such as Loop 303.
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.