Aaron Griffon, Teriontae Walker Died In Phoenix Collision With Pickup Truck By 83rd Avenue and Thomas Road
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (April 4, 2022) – Two men identified as Teriontae Walker and Aaron Griffon have tragically died in a Phoenix car accident near 83rd Avenue and Thomas Road.
Maricopa County police officials are saying that the collision took place around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday. The driver of a pickup truck was heading east when they veered into westbound lanes. They hit a sedan driven by Teriontae Walker who was transporting Aaron Griffon.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help both of the victims. Despite life-saving measures, Aaron Griffon and Teriontae Walker both died at the scene due to their injuries.
The driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Phoenix Car Accidents
Accidents remain a major cause of serious injury and death in Arizona, despite a reported decline of collisions in 2020. According to one report from AZ Central, “Despite crashes in Arizona being down nearly 24% with 2020 having 98,778 crashes compared to 130,366 in 2019, 1,057 people were killed in traffic collisions in 2020 compared to 980 in 2019.” The vast majority of these collisions were preventable. In fact, the NHTSA has estimated that nearly 93% of all crashes involved some amount of human error. Human error can manifest in a variety of ways including:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Dangerous lane changes
- Driver fatigue
- Driver intoxication
Every driver is expected to use reasonable care in order to avoid causing accidents. Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28-729, a person shall drive their vehicle within a single lane of traffic and shall not move from that lane unless and until it can be ascertained that such a movement can be done safely. Drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicle at excessive speeds or during periods of inclement weather. It’s also important that drivers check their tires periodically to ensure that they have adequate traction with the roadway.
Pickup trucks are commonly used for commercial purposes such as landscaping and construction. If the driver of a pickup truck was working a the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. In general, Arizona law allows employers to be liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a driver may have been on their way to perform some type of service for a customer when they were involved in a collision. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any car accident.
- It should be determined if the at fault driver was working when the crash occured.
- Surveillance footage of the crash should be sought.
- Medical records of the accident should be preserved.
- Maintenance records should be examined.
The family of any victim that died in a collision with a negligent driver may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. Potential beneficiaries in a civil claim will typically include a victim’s next of kin such as their spouse or dependent children. A Phoenix personal injury attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Phoenix Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the families of Teriontae Walker and Aaron Griffon. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a senseless tragedy that should not have taken place. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much.
Do you need more information about a Phoenix car accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and helping make Arizona safer for everyone. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
