Driver dies, passenger seriously hurt in north Phoenix crash

Car hit wall after running stop sign, police say investigation is ongoing

Feb. 7, 2026 at 1:15pm

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A 56-year-old man died and his passenger was seriously injured after their car crashed into a wall in north Phoenix on Friday night. Police believe the driver, Ricardo Campos Garcia, may have been speeding when he ran a stop sign and hit the wall, but they are still investigating whether impairment was a factor.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the importance of safe driving and the need for continued investigation into the causes of such crashes, which can have devastating consequences for individuals and communities.

The details

Just before 9 p.m., officers responded to reports of a car crashing into a wall at a frontage road near Interstate 17 and Williams Drive. Police and fire crews found two men with serious injuries inside the vehicle. The driver, 56-year-old Ricardo Campos Garcia, later died at the hospital, while the passenger remains hospitalized in serious condition.

  • The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2026.

The players

Ricardo Campos Garcia

The 56-year-old driver who died in the crash.

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What’s next

Detectives are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash, including whether impairment was a factor.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safe driving and the need for ongoing efforts to improve road safety and prevent such devastating crashes in the future.