Daniel Cohn Killed in Maricopa County Car Accident

Daniel Cohn, 81, of Chandler, Died Following Multi-Vehicle Collision Involving Work Truck on State Route 74 at Milepost 23 Near New River Road and Lake Pleasant

LAKE PLEASANT, ARIZONA (May 17, 2026) – An 81-year-old man identified as Daniel Cohn has tragically died in a Maricopa County car accident on State Route 74 near Lake Pleasant.

Maricopa County officials are saying the accident took place around 10:00 AM on Friday morning. Daniel Cohn was involved in a multi-vehicle collision with a work truck, a pickup truck, and a sedan.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help all of the victims.

Two people reportedly suffered serious injuries in the crash.

One person was rushed to the hospital in extremely critical condition. Sadly, Daniel Cohn was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

A full investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.

Liability for Arizona Car Accidents

Every driver in Arizona has a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid collisions. Pursuant to Arizona Vehicle Code 28-701, “A person shall not drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, conditions and actual and potential hazards then existing.” There are many other factors that could contribute to a motor vehicle collision.

• Vehicle System Failures: Car accidents are more likely to occur if one part of a vehicle experiences a catastrophic malfunction. In particular, tire blowouts are a leading reason drivers lose control.
• Inclement Weather: Drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicle during periods of inclement weather.
• Fatigue: Many car accidents involve drivers that are fatigued. Even staying awake for 17 hours can reduce a person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely equal to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%.

If a driver fails to operate with the care necessary to avoid hitting another vehicle, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Liability for a car accident could extend to several parties beyond any one driver determined to be at fault. This is particularly true if one of the vehicles involved was a work truck. Employers can be vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees who were working within the course and scope of their job duties.

Steps to Take After Arizona Car Accidents 

Car accidents remain one of the major causes of preventable injury and death across Arizona and the United States. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, “Arizona saw fewer crashes, fewer fatal crashes, fewer injury crashes and fewer crash-caused injuries on its roadways in 2018 compared to 2017, according to the 2018 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report that was released today. However, despite reductions in those key areas, the number of total traffic fatalities increased by 1%. In 2018, 1,010 people killed in vehicle collisions on all of Arizona’s roads compared to 998 in 2017.” Certain steps should be taken after any car accident.

• All of the medical records related to the incident should be preserved.
• The police report created after the accident should be sought.
• Any surveillance footage that may have captured the collision should be reviewed.
• Lots of photos of the accident site should be taken.
• The family of any person who died should request an independent review by a team experienced in accident reconstruction and negligence claims.

Car accidents can be deceptively complex. The factors that contribute to any collision may take place many hours, days, or weeks beforehand. It is critical that these incidents be properly investigated by an outside party. Victims of car accidents are protected by a number of laws. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim. This right extends to the surviving family members of any person who died in a collision.

Investigating Arizona Work Truck Accidents

We at The Law Offices of John Phebus extend our deepest condolences to the family of Daniel Cohn. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. It is our sincere hope that county officials will consider measures to make this stretch of road safer.

Do you need more information about an Arizona car accident? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (623) 267-9283.