Child dies after being struck by vehicle on Hwy 180 near Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - A child has died after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 180 northwest of Flagstaff on Saturday.

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the child was crossing the road with his family at milepost 221 around 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22 when the collision occurred.

The victim has been identified as an 11-year-old male from Sinaloa, Mexico.

According to the department, the driver of the vehicle was cooperative and stayed at the scene during the investigation.

“Our investigation indicates the child was with his family as they attempted to run across the highway,” said Bart Graves, media relations specialist with DPS. “The family yielded to an approaching vehicle, however the child kept running and was struck.”

The location of the incident is along a popular corridor for snow play, and the Arizona Department of Transportation has advised drivers to not stop or park along highway shoulders to play in the snow because of the risk to drivers and pedestrians. Signs are posted locally and ADOT’s electronic freeway signs warn travelers coming up from the Phoenix area about the dangers.