Valyn Benally Killed in Phoenix Hit-and-Run Accident
The 36-year-old man was struck while crossing 7th Street on Thursday night
Valyn Benally, 36, was killed in a hit-and-run crash near 7th and Elwood streets in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday, according to police.
The northbound vehicle struck the pedestrian as he attempted to cross 7th Street mid-block, investigators said. The driver fled the area before officers arrived, and no vehicle description has been released.
Paramedics found the victim with critical injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives are actively searching for the suspect and asking anyone with information to contact Silent Witness. Fleeing the scene of a fatal collision is a felony offense.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 1 out of every 4 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2023 (24%) were struck by hit-and-run drivers.
The sudden loss of a family member in a hit-and-run leaves relatives searching for answers while police work to identify the fleeing driver. In hit-and-run accidents such as this, investigators careful review evidence left at the scene to track down the suspect. Cristina Perez, a national legal analyst for Accident News and attorney at Perez Law Group, said, "Drivers involved in crashes sometimes panic and flee without recognizing that traffic cameras, cellphone records, business surveillance systems, and debris analysis may eventually assist identification efforts. An attorney regularly coordinates alongside investigators while helping affected families address insurance complications and financial hardships afterward."
Why did the driver flee the scene on 7th Street?
What evidence helps solve Phoenix hit-and-run cases?
According to Gabe Miller, a national legal analyst for Accident News and attorney at Perez Law Group, "A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected."
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.