Woman dies after being hit by vehicle near I-19 in Tucson

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A 43-year-old woman named Nancy Rivera died days after she was struck by a vehicle while walking near Interstate 19 in Tucson, Arizona. Rivera was not in a crosswalk when the incident occurred around 7 p.m. on December 27. She suffered life-threatening injuries and passed away shortly after. Another pedestrian was with Rivera at the time but was not injured. The driver who hit Rivera was not impaired and likely not speeding, according to the Tucson Police Department, which is still investigating the incident.

Why it matters

Pedestrian safety is an ongoing concern in Tucson, with the city ranking among the most dangerous metro areas in the U.S. for people on foot. This tragic incident highlights the need for improved infrastructure, driver education, and pedestrian awareness to prevent such accidents.

The details

According to the Tucson Police Department, the incident occurred around 7 p.m. on December 27 in the 1200 block of West Ajo Way. Rivera, 43, was walking with another pedestrian when she was struck by a vehicle. Rivera was not in a crosswalk at the time. She suffered life-threatening injuries and died days later. The other pedestrian with Rivera was not injured. Police said the driver who hit Rivera was not impaired and was likely not speeding, but the investigation is still ongoing.

• The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on December 27, 2025.
• Rivera died days after the incident.

What’s next

The Tucson Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident, including determining if any charges or citations will be issued against the driver.