Fatal Crashes Only
This report covers fatal crashes only, from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System — the federal census of every crash on a US public road that killed someone within 30 days. It does not include injury or property-damage-only crashes, and its totals are not comparable with the all-severity crash reports published elsewhere on this site.
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YEAR-OVER-YEAR CRASH REPORT · PHOENIX, ARIZONA · 2023
Purpose: Machine-readable JSON endpoint for AI agents, LLMs, researchers, and programmatic consumers. Returns all underlying crash data and AI-generated commentary without HTML.
Authentication: None required. Public endpoint.
GET: https://thatcarhitme.com/api/crash-data/reports/data/arizona/fatal/phoenix/2023-annual-report
Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis
302 CRASHES IN
PHOENIX, ARIZONA
2023
In 2023, PHOENIX recorded 302 fatal crashes, a 2.37% increase from 295 fatal crashes in 2022. The most significant year-over-year shift was a 65% decrease in fatal bicycle crashes.
302
▲ 2.4%was 295
Total Crash Events
311
▼ -1.3%was 315
Persons Killed
237
▲ 19.1%was 199
Persons Injured
46
▼ -11.5%was 52
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (311) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (302) counts crash events where at least one fatality occurred. A single crash can result in multiple fatalities.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Aggregate counts from crash, person, and vehicle records
Trend Summary
Overall, fatal crashes in PHOENIX showed a 2.37% increase year-over-year, moving from 295 fatal crashes in 2022 to 302 fatal crashes in 2023. This indicates a rising trend in traffic fatalities.
46
Hit-and-Run Crashes — 2023
▼ -11.5% vs prior (52)
Hit-and-run fatal crashes decreased from 52 in 2022 to 46 in 2023. The hit-and-run rate also saw a decrease, moving from 17.6% of fatal crashes in 2022 to 15.2% in 2023.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
110
Pedestrians Killed
7
Cyclists Killed
193
Motorists Killed
1
Other Killed
5
Pedestrians Injured
0
Cyclists Injured
232
Motorists Injured
0
Other Injured
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Mode classified from person records (driver/passenger → motorist; pedestrian; bicyclist → cyclist; in-line skater / unspecified → other)
When Crashes Happen
The peak day for fatal crashes shifted from Friday with 62 crashes in 2022 to Saturday with 63 crashes in 2023. Similarly, the peak hour for fatal crashes moved from 8 PM with 30 crashes in 2022 to 9 PM with 23 crashes in 2023.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash date field aggregated by weekday
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash time field aggregated by hour (0-23)
Road & Environmental Conditions
Clear weather remained the dominant condition for fatal crashes in both years, accounting for 264 fatal crashes in 2023 and 269 in 2022. Fatal crashes occurring in dark, lighted conditions slightly decreased from 176 in 2022 to 161 in 2023, while daylight crashes increased from 97 to 104.
Weather
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Weather condition at time of crash
Lighting
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Lighting condition field
Vehicles & Demographics
Chevrolet remained the top vehicle make involved in fatal crashes, increasing from 61 in 2022 to 85 in 2023. The 26-34 age group saw a notable increase in persons involved in fatal crashes, rising from 123 in 2022 to 159 in 2023.
Top Vehicle Makes (512 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
56 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (777 persons with recorded sex)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Speed Limit Zones
The 40 mph speed limit zone continued to have the highest number of fatal crashes, with 118 in 2023 compared to 100 in 2022. Fatal crashes in the 45 mph zone decreased from 82 in 2022 to 73 in 2023, while crashes in the 35 mph zone decreased from 41 to 34.
Fatal crashes by zone: 25 mph: 13 of 13 (100%) · 30 mph: 6 of 6 (100%) · 35 mph: 34 of 34 (100%) · 40 mph: 118 of 118 (100%) · 45 mph: 73 of 73 (100%) · 50 mph: 3 of 3 (100%) · 55 mph: 12 of 12 (100%) · 65 mph: 31 of 31 (100%)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Posted speed limit at crash location
Manner of Collision
The most common manner of collision in fatal crashes for both years was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport', which decreased from 180 in 2022 to 155 in 2023. Angle collisions increased from 60 in 2022 to 88 in 2023.
Manner of Collision
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Vehicle Type
4-door sedans were the most frequently involved vehicle body type in fatal crashes, increasing from 108 in 2022 to 153 in 2023. The number of two-wheel motorcycles involved in fatal crashes increased from 45 in 2022 to 61 in 2023.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 26 reported. 17 additional (51 total) not shown: 3-door/2-door hatchback, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 10,001 to 19,500 lbs.), Minivan (Chrysler Town and Country, Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Voyager, Honda-Odyssey, ...), Truck-tractor (Cab only, or with any number of trailing unit; any weight), Utility station wagon (includes suburban limousines, Suburban, Travellall, Grand Wagoneer), Other or Unknown automobile type, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs.), Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 19,501 to 26,000 lbs.), Unknown light vehicle type (automobile,utility vehicle, van, or light truck), Unknown (pickup style) light conventional truck type, Convertible(excludes sun-roof,t-bar), Medium/heavy Pickup (GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs.), Large Van-Includes van-based buses (B150-B350, Sportsman, Royal Maxiwagon, Ram, Tradesman,...), Motor Scooter, Transit Bus (City Bus), Other motored cycle type (mini-bikes, pocket motorcycles "pocket bikes"), Unknown motored cycle type.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Rural vs Urban
The vast majority of fatal crashes occurred in urban areas, with 296 in 2023 compared to 289 in 2022. Rural fatal crashes decreased from 2 in 2022 to 0 in 2023.
Rural vs Urban
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Functional Class
Minor Arterial roadways consistently accounted for the highest number of fatal crashes, with 155 in 2023 and 148 in 2022. Fatal crashes on Interstate roadways decreased from 26 in 2022 to 21 in 2023.
Roadway Functional Class
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Ownership
City or Municipal Highway Agencies owned the roadways where the most fatal crashes occurred, with 237 fatal crashes in 2023 compared to 230 in 2022. Fatal crashes on State Highway Agency roads increased from 52 in 2022 to 53 in 2023.
Roadway Ownership
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Type
Drivers consistently represented the largest group of persons involved in fatal crashes, increasing from 447 in 2022 to 509 in 2023. Pedestrians involved in fatal crashes decreased from 120 in 2022 to 117 in 2023, while bicyclists saw a significant decrease from 20 to 7.
Person Type
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Injury Severity
Fatalities (K) decreased slightly from 315 in 2022 to 311 in 2023. Total injuries (A, B, C, U) increased from 199 in 2022 to 237 in 2023.
Person Injury Severity
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Occupant Safety Equipment
Shoulder and Lap Belt Used remained the most common safety equipment reported, increasing from 325 in 2022 to 380 in 2023. The number of persons reported with 'None Used/Not Applicable' safety equipment increased from 160 in 2022 to 171 in 2023.
Occupant Safety Equipment
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Point of Impact
The '12 Clock Point' (front impact) remained the most frequent point of impact in fatal crashes, increasing from 164 in 2022 to 201 in 2023. Rear impacts ('6 Clock Point') decreased from 26 in 2022 to 20 in 2023.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 12 smaller categories (71 records): Non-Collision (10), Undercarriage (10), Left-Front Side (9), 9 Clock Point (8), Left-Back Side (7), Reported as Unknown (7), 3 Clock Point (7), Right-Back Side (5), 2 Clock Point (2), 7 Clock Point (2), 5 Clock Point (2), Other Objects or Person Set-In-Motion (2).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Vehicles Per Crash
Single-vehicle fatal crashes decreased from 169 in 2022 to 136 in 2023. Two-vehicle fatal crashes increased from 102 in 2022 to 131 in 2023.
Vehicles Per Crash
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Data Sources & Methodology
Primary Data Source
All crash data in this report is sourced from NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), accessed programmatically via the NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SODA). This dataset contains official police-reported motor vehicle traffic crash records maintained by the reporting jurisdiction's law enforcement agency. Records are published to the open data portal by the municipality and are subject to the portal's terms of use.
Data Retrieval
- Access method: NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SoQL queries)
- Data format: Structured JSON via REST API
- Record types queried: Crash events, person records, and vehicle unit records
- Date filter applied: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31
- Report generated: August 5, 2026
Data Coverage
- Reporting period: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31 (365 days)
- Geographic scope: Phoenix, Arizona
- Total crash records analyzed: 302
- Total persons involved: 826
- Total vehicles involved: 512
Analytical Methodology
- Severity classification: Uses the KABCO injury scale (K=Fatal, A=Incapacitating injury, B=Non-incapacitating injury, C=Possible injury, O=No injury/property damage only), the standard classification in U.S. Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC). Severity is assigned per crash event based on the most severe injury in that crash. A single fatal crash (K) may involve multiple fatalities; therefore the "Persons Killed" count in the headline KPIs may differ from the "Fatal" crash count in the severity breakdown.
- Contributing factors: Reflect the officer-determined primary contributory cause recorded at the time of the crash report. These are preliminary determinations and may not reflect final investigation findings.
- Hit-and-run classification: Based on the hit-and-run indicator field in the official crash report, as determined by the responding officer at the scene.
- Temporal analysis: Day-of-week and hour-of-day distributions are computed from the crash date/time timestamp in each record.
- Demographics: Age and sex distributions are drawn from person-level records linked to each crash event. A single crash may involve multiple persons.
- Vehicle data: Make information is drawn from vehicle unit records linked to each crash event.
- AI commentary: Narrative sections are generated by Google Gemini (large language model) based on the structured data. Commentary is descriptive, not predictive, and should not be interpreted as expert opinion.
Limitations & Disclaimers
- Only crashes reported to and documented by law enforcement are included. Minor incidents, unreported crashes, and near-misses are not captured in this dataset.
- Data reflects conditions at the time of the initial police report and may be subject to subsequent corrections, reclassifications, or supplements by the reporting agency.
- Open data portal records may experience a publication lag - recently occurring crashes may not yet appear in the dataset at the time of report generation.
- AI-generated commentary is produced by a large language model and is intended to highlight patterns in the data. It does not constitute legal, medical, or professional analysis.
- Percentages are calculated from reported data and are subject to rounding.
Non-Affiliation Disclosure
This report is produced independently by ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in partnership with any law enforcement agency, municipal government, state department of transportation, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Data is sourced from publicly available government open data portals.
Data License
The underlying crash data is provided under the municipality's Open Data Terms of Use and is made available to the public for unrestricted use. This analysis and report is © 2026 Injuria.ai and may be cited with attribution using the suggested citation below.
Corrections & Feedback
If you believe any data in this report is inaccurate or have questions about our methodology, please contact: data@injuria.ai. We are committed to accuracy and will issue corrections promptly.
Suggested Citation
ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). "Phoenix, Arizona Crash Intelligence Report: 2023." Published August 5, 2026. Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31. Data source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), NHTSA FARS Open Data. Available at: https://thatcarhitme.com/crash-data/arizona/fatal/phoenix/2023-annual-report
About the Publisher
ThatCarHitMe.com is a crash data intelligence platform developed by Injuria.ai, a legal technology company specializing in traffic safety analytics. We aggregate and analyze publicly available government crash data to produce structured intelligence reports for communities, researchers, journalists, and legal professionals. Our reports combine programmatic data retrieval from official open data portals with AI-assisted narrative analysis.
Questions about this report's data or methodology: data@injuria.ai
ThatCarHitMe.com · An Injuria.ai Company
ThatCarHitMe.com
An Injuria.ai Company
Crash Data Intelligence
Data: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · NHTSA FARS
Period: 2023-01-01 – 2023-12-31
Generated: August 5, 2026 · All rights reserved
Someone you love in this data? We’ll help you find out if you have a case.
Call our intake team. We connect you to an vetted Arizona attorney who handles fatal-crash and wrongful death cases, and who will treat your family’s situation with care.
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