Police identify man killed in fiery collision between car, building

PHOENIX — A man is dead after a car crashed into a commercial building and caught fire on Sunday night, authorities said.

The Phoenix Fire Department was dispatched to the area of 16th Avenue and Grant Street around 10 p.m. for reports of a fire after a vehicle collided with a building.

Details on fiery collision that left 1 person dead

When crews arrived on the scene, there was heavy smoke and fire coming from the car.

Phoenix Fire said the car caused extensive damage to the outside of the building, so much so that it made the building unsafe to enter.

Firefighters initially took a defensive posture to attack the fire.

Once crews gained control of the blaze, firefighters were able to access the car and pronounce one adult dead at the scene.

Police announced on Monday that the victim was identified as 25-year-old Jose Antonio Valenzuela Cota. He was the only person in the car.

The department said the initial investigation showed that Valenzuela Cota was driving west on Grant Street and speeding when he lost control of the car and crashed into the building.

It is not yet known whether impairment was a factor in the crash.

No other details were released.

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