PHOENIX — A man is dead after he was reportedly hit by a car that left the scene in north Phoenix Saturday night.
Phoenix police say they were called to the area of 40th Street and Thunderbird Road just before 6:45 p.m. for the report of a man lying unresponsive in the street.
When officers arrived, they found the man, and fire personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Aron Moreno.
Police believe a vehicle was traveling west on Thunderbird and struck Moreno, who was a pedestrian. That vehicle then left the scene.
“It’s pretty messed up that the person that did that didn’t… they didn’t realize that… I don’t know, I feel like anyone there, they’ve would’ve stopped or made sure the person was OK,” said Antonio Moreno, one of Aron’s brothers.
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety says so far this year, there have been over 13,000 hit-and-run crashes in the state. Arizona is fourth in the nation for pedestrian fatalities.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, there were 109 people killed in hit-and-runs in 2022. That is up from 90 in 2021 and 78 from the year before. In 2019, it was 62.
“He was always making people laugh, the life of the party, you know,” said Moises Moreno, another of Aron’s brother.
“Even if they arrest the driver, that won't bring my son back. I leave it up to God. I hope there's justice. I forgive the driver. I don't gain anything for developing hate,” said Antonio, Aron’s father.
Aron's family has started a GoFundMe account to help with expenses, click here to donate.
No information about the suspect or vehicle involved has been released at this point.
The crash remains under investigation.
If you have any information regarding the crash, you are asked to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish speaking. You can remain anonymous.
