Phoenix — The city is reeling after 27-year-old Essence Felicia Stevenson was struck and killed by a car Monday evening near 41st Avenue and Camelback Road. The crash, which happened around 7:15 p.m., has left neighbors shaken and sparked renewed concern over pedestrian safety in the busy west-Phoenix neighborhood.
Officers from the Phoenix Police Department arrived quickly on the scene and found Stevenson lying in the roadway with life-threatening injuries. Emergency responders rushed her to a local hospital, but despite efforts to save her, she died shortly afterward.
Detectives believe Stevenson was crossing Camelback Road mid-block when a westbound vehicle struck her. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated fully; authorities do not believe impairment played a role. The investigation remains active as police gather more evidence and interview witnesses.
Local residents say the stretch of Camelback Road where the accident occurred is especially hazardous — characterized by heavy traffic, high speeds, and a lack of safe pedestrian crossings. Many described the area as dangerous for anyone trying to cross, especially after dark when visibility drops. In the hours after the crash, neighbors expressed sorrow and called for better lighting, clearer crosswalks, and more awareness of pedestrian safety.
For many in the community, Stevenson’s death has become a heartbreaking reminder of those dangers. Friends and family remember her as full of life and promise — a young woman whose future was cut tragically short. As condolences poured in, so did voices begging for change: safer streets so no one else suffers a similar loss.
With the investigation ongoing, officials are urging both drivers and pedestrians to be especially cautious, particularly during evening hours. They stressed the need for heightened awareness on busy roads like Camelback, where so many residents live, work, and walk.
As Phoenix grapples with the grief, a wider conversation is forming — about how vulnerable pedestrians remain on city streets and what must be done to protect them. Essence Stevenson’s death isn’t just another tragic statistic. For her community, it is a call to action.
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