By Ethan Faverino |
A new analysis of federal traffic fatality data ranks Arizona among the nation’s most dangerous states for deadly hit-and-run crashes, underscoring the persistent toll of drivers who flee the scene of collisions.
Researchers at Andrew Pickett Law examined data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System covering 2019 through 2024.
Arizona ranked eighth nationwide for per-capita risk, averaging 1.55 hit-and-run fatalities per 100,000 licensed drivers. During the six-year period, the state recorded 535 hit-and-run deaths among 7,081 total traffic fatalities.
Arizona also placed 11th nationally for the share of traffic deaths involving a fleeing driver, with hit-and-run crashes accounting for 7.56% of all vehicle crash fatalities.
New Mexico led the nation in per-capita risk, followed by Louisiana (1.84) and Tennessee (1.83). California recorded the highest percentage of overall traffic fatalities involving hit-and-run drivers at 11.01% followed by Hawaii (10.03%), and Nevada (9.81%).
“Leaving the scene of an accident is a critical public safety crisis that costs thousands of lives every year,” stated personal injury lawyer Andrew Pickett. “Drivers need to understand that panic is no excuse. Staying at the scene, rendering immediate aid, and contacting emergency services is a universal responsibility that can mean the difference between life and death for an injured victim.”
The findings align with a recent report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, which found that hit-and-run crashes nationwide accounted for more than 919,000 police-reported collisions, nearly 243,000 injuries, and 2,872 deaths in 2023.
Arizona’s most recent statewide figures paint a similar picture. In 2024, the state recorded 16,136 hit-and-run crashes, resulting in 4,202 injuries and 86 deaths. That total represented an increase of 488 incidents compared with 2023.
Arizona law imposes severe penalties for leaving the scene of a crash involving death or serious physical injury. A conviction for a Class 2 felony hit-and-run offense can carry a prison sentence of up to 12.5 years for a first-time offender, in addition to lengthy license suspension, including a 10-year revocation in fatal cases.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
