Girl killed in hit-and-run in Phoenix; police seek help finding driver

PHOENIX — A 12-year-old girl died Tuesday morning after being hit by a vehicle that left the scene in west Phoenix. Authorities were seeking the public’s help in identifying the driver.

“If somebody saw something … [or] heard something, please let us know,” Sgt. Armando Carbajal of the Phoenix Police Department told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Just before 5 a.m., the girl was struck by a vehicle traveling southbound on 59th Avenue at Indian School Road.

She was transported in extremely critical condition to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The girl’s name wasn’t released because she was a juvenile, and the family has declined to be interviewed by the media.

A witness in the area heard the collision but was unable to identify the type of vehicle.

NOW: Air15 over 59th Ave/Indian School, where little girl was hit by vehicle. Driver is wanted. pic.twitter.com/PaVjT2CuOg

— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) July 31, 2018

“What we do know is that the light for southbound 59th Avenue and northbound travel was green,” Carbajal said.

“At this time it’s unclear whether the pedestrian was in the crosswalk or not.”

The girl lived near the intersection, which was closed until around 11:15 a.m. while the scene was under investigation.

“It isn’t clear why she was alone and why she was unsupervised at this time,” Carbajal said. “The investigation is still trying to get those answers.”

Anybody with information about the incident was asked to call the police department at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377).

“Even the smallest piece of evidence or the smallest something they saw or something they heard would help us in being able to identify that driver,” Carbajal said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mark Carlson contributed to this report.

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