Wrong-way driver dies Sunday in collision with light rail in Phoenix
Dec 22, 2019, 8:54 AM | Updated: 4:33 pm
(AP Photo/Paul Davenport, File)
(AP Photo/Paul Davenport, File)
PHOENIX — A 30-year-old woman died after colliding with the light rail early Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Sgt. Tommy Thompson with the Phoenix Police Department said the crash occurred shortly after 2 a.m. at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Washington Street.
It is believed the woman, Tameka Talise Spence, was driving her 2014 Nissan Sentra eastbound on Washington Street, a one-way street that travels westbound, when the crash occurred. The impact of the collision knocked the light rail off the tracks. A signal light pole was also damaged in the crash.
Spence was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Thompson.
The light rail driver and two passengers who were riding the light rail were not injured.
Nobody else was in the car with Spence, Thompson said.
He said it is believed the speed of the Nissan Sentra was a factor in the collision. It was determined the operator of the light rail was not impaired.
The light rail is continuing to operate in a single track system while the disabled train is removed, causing system-wide delays.
Until the scene is cleared, if you’re going east from the following platforms, make these adjustments:
Van Buren/1st Ave – Go to Van Buren/Central Ave platform
Jefferson/1st Ave – Go to Washington/Central Ave platform
3rd St/Jefferson – Go to 3rd/Washington#vmservice
— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) December 22, 2019
Roadways around the deadly crash in downtown Phoenix will be closed for a significant amount of time, according to Thompson.
No other details were immediately available.
