PHOENIX, Ariz. — A heartbreaking hit-and-run crash early Friday morning claimed the life of 32-year-old Miguel Alteres near 43rd Avenue and McDowell Road, according to the Phoenix Police Department. The fatal collision has left family, friends, and the local community grieving as investigators continue to piece together what happened.
Authorities said officers were called to the scene around 5:45 a.m., where they discovered Alteres lying in the roadway with severe injuries. Emergency personnel from the Phoenix Fire Department responded swiftly, but despite their best efforts, Alteres was pronounced dead at the scene. His tragic death has sparked renewed calls for accountability and road safety awareness in the area.
Preliminary findings suggest that Alteres was attempting to cross 43rd Avenue, just north of McDowell Road, when he was struck by a gray Jeep Cherokee. Witnesses told police that a woman briefly stepped out of the vehicle after the crash but quickly got back in and drove away, leaving Alteres critically injured in the street. The shocking act of fleeing the scene has drawn widespread outrage from residents and city officials alike.
Following an intensive investigation and multiple witness tips, 24-year-old Michelle Guzman-Garcia was arrested on Saturday in connection with the fatal hit-and-run. Phoenix police confirmed that Guzman-Garcia is now facing criminal charges, though the specific counts have not yet been publicly detailed. Authorities credited the quick arrest to strong community cooperation and surveillance efforts in the area.
Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether impairment, distraction, or speed may have been factors. Officials are urging anyone with further information or video footage to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (837-8446). A $2,000 reward remains available for information leading to additional developments in the case.
As the Phoenix community mourns the loss of Miguel Alteres, loved ones are remembering him as a kind and hardworking man whose life was cut tragically short. The incident serves as a painful reminder of the devastation caused by hit-and-run crashes — and the importance of responsibility and compassion on the road.