PHOENIX — A Valley Metro van driver was killed, and several others were injured in a north Phoenix crash on Friday.
According to Phoenix police, the crash happened at Cave Creek Road and Sonoran Desert Drive around noon.
Police say a 21-year-old man driving a Ford F550 work truck was driving northbound on Cave Creek Road and attempted to turn left onto westbound Sonoran Desert Drive.
The work truck struck a Valley Metro Vanpool that was driving through the intersection southbound on Cave Creek Road. The force of the impact redirected the van into a metal utility pole on the southwest corner of the intersection.
The Valley Metro driver, identified as 59-year-old Juan Carlos Molina-Limon, sustained numerous injuries and was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. Four adult passengers in the van received minor injuries.
The driver of the work truck was uninjured and remained at the scene, police say.
Authorities added that impairment does not appear to have been a contributing factor to the crash.
A spokesperson for Valley Metro provided the following statement regarding the loss of one of their drivers:
"We are saddened and mourn the loss of the vanpool driver, Mr. Juan Molina Limon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to tonight to his family, friends and everyone at Desert Mountain Properties."
An investigation is ongoing.
