Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from Jan. 2-4

PHOENIX — From a man dying after getting hit by a golf cart to a helicopter crash in Surprise, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from the first weekend of 2026.

Man dies in hospital after being struck by golf cart in Mesa

A man is dead after he was hit by a golf cart in Mesa on Friday afternoon, authorities said.

According to the Mesa Police Department, officers responded to reports of a crash involving a golf cart and a pedestrian near Greenfield Road and Southern Avenue around 4 p.m.

A witness told police that the golf cart had to be lifted off the man. Afterwards, a nurse who was on scene immediately started administering CPR.

Investigators later determined that the man was riding in the golf cart with a woman and that he exited the cart prior to the collision.

Rescue team stays overnight with injured hiker on Arizona mountain before Blackhawk evacuation

US 60/Grand Avenue reopens in both directions hours after deadly crash in West Valley

One driver was killed in a multivehicle crash that led to both directions of US 60/Grand Avenue being closed in Surprise for several hours on Friday morning, authorities said.

The closure was at Dysart Road, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The crash occurred around 3 a.m., according to ABC15. Both directions of US 60 reopened around 9:30 a.m., ADOT said.

Multiple patients were taken to a hospital for treatment, one of whom did not survive their injuries, according to the Surprise Police Department.

4 dead after private helicopter crashes in remote area south of Superior

Four people are dead after a private helicopter crashed near Superior on Friday morning, authorities said.

According to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the MD 369FF helicopter came down in the mountains near Telegraph Canyon, which is south of Superior, around 11 a.m.

PCSO said the occupants of the helicopter consisted of a 59-year-old Queen Creek man, who was the pilot, and three female family members aged 22, 21 and 21.

Search and rescue crews, Superior Fire Department and Queen Valley Fire along with Federal Aviation Administration investigators reached the crash on foot and confirmed the fatalities on Friday evening.

St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix welcomes its 1st baby in 2026

Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix welcomed its first baby of 2026 just minutes after the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Day.

The Garcia-Gutierrez family celebrated the birth of their second child, a boy, at 12:02 a.m. on Thursday.

The boy came out a healthy 8.1 pounds and 20.8 inches long, according to the hospital.

Most popular baby names of 2025 in Arizona

After Liam was the fan favorite in 2024, Noah took the throne in 2025 with Liam, Mateo, Santiago and Oliver rounding out the top-five most popular boy baby names in Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

For baby girl names, the reign of Olivia continued, as it has been the top name for five consecutive years. Much of 2024’s top five remained in tact the following year, with Sophia (second), Isabella (fourth) and Emma (fifth) holding steady in popularity. Mia made a leap from sixth in 2024 to third in 2025.

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