PHOENIX — The east Phoenix community is mourning the tragic and sudden loss of Martin Toledo, 23, who lost his life early Monday morning after being struck by a semi-truck in a parking lot near 44th Street and Van Buren Street.
According to Phoenix police, officers were called to the scene around 3:08 a.m. after reports of a pedestrian-involved crash. When first responders arrived, they found Martin lying in a low-lit area of a parking lot, where he had been run over by a semi-truck. The Phoenix Fire Department responded and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Investigators stated that the semi-truck was circling through the parking lot while attempting to exit onto 44th Street at the time of the crash. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated fully with authorities. Police confirmed that the driver was not impaired, and no signs of intoxication were found.
Detectives with the Phoenix Police Department’s Vehicular Crimes Unit have taken over the investigation. Officials emphasized that the information released so far is preliminary as they continue to determine the full sequence of events and contributing factors.