Valerie Chesnut Killed in Waddell Truck Accident

Valerie Theresa Chesnut, 52, of Goodyear, Died in Maricopa County Hit-and-Run Car Accident Involving Heavy-Duty Dual-Axle Pickup Truck Near Waddell

MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA (May 19, 2026) – A 52-year-old woman identified as Valerie Chesnut has tragically died in a Maricopa County car accident on State Route 303 south of Northern Avenue.

Maricopa County officials are saying that the accident occurred around 2:30 AM on Saturday. Valerie Chesnut was hit by a heavy-duty pickup truck in the left lane of the roadway.

The victim was subsequently hit by two additional vehicles. Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help her. Despite life-saving measures, Valerie Chesnut later died due to the severe nature of her injuries.

The driver of that pickup truck did not remain at the scene of the collision and is currently being sought by police. It was possibly heading to California.

A full investigation into the circumstances leading up to the crash remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Arizona Hit-and-Run Truck Accidents

Truck drivers must use caution to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway. To that end, they must consistently maintain their vehicle at a safe speed at all times. According 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.” Truck drivers should take a number of actions to avoid hitting pedestrians.

• Scanning: Drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for pedestrians and other potential hazards.
• Horns: Drivers should use their horns as necessary to alert pedestrians of their presence.
• Rest: Drivers should avoid heading out onto the road if they are fatigued. Driving while fatigued can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.
• Vehicle Upkeep: Drivers should ensure that their vehicles are periodically inspected and well maintained.

If a driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a pedestrian in the roadway, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Even if pedestrians are outside of a marked crosswalk, drivers must still use caution to avoid hitting them. This situation does not absolve a driver of the duty of care placed upon them by civil statutes. Liability for a car accident could also extend to multiple entities beyond any specific driver. This is particularly true if a vehicle was owned by a company or being used for a commercial purpose at the time of the crash.

Gathering Evidence After Arizona Hit-and-Run Truck Accidents

Pedestrians lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are more likely to be seriously injured in the event of a crash. Increasingly, pedestrians have been forced to share the roadway with larger and taller vehicles. According to NPR, “The majority of vehicles sold in the U.S. are now SUVs and light trucks, which can have front ends that are often 40 inches or taller. Safety advocates say that’s one reason why pedestrian fatalities are up more than 75% since reaching their lowest point in 2009.” It is important that evidence be properly gathered and preserved after any hit-and-run collision.

• Lots of photos of the accident site should be taken.
• All of the medical records related to injuries should be sought.
• Any fragments left by a fleeing vehicle should be collected and examined. They can help reveal the identity of the vehicle that left the scene.
• The police report created after the crash should be scrutinized.
• The family of any person who died in a hit-and-run collision should seek an independent review by a team experienced in accident reconstruction.

Car accidents tend to be highly preventable. They tend to involve drivers that are not properly scanning the road ahead of them. It can be difficult to know where to begin after losing someone in a hit-and-run collision. However, the drivers behind these accidents can be found in many circumstances if all available evidence is preserved early on and thoroughly examined. The family of any person who died in a hit-and-run collision is able to seek some measure of accountability and transparency through a civil action.

Investigating Arizona Hit-and-Run Car Accidents

We at The Law Offices of John Phebus extend our deepest condolences to the family of Valerie Chesnut. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough review of what went wrong so that similar tragedies can be prevented. The truck driver involved in this crash should absolutely do the right thing and come forward. It is never too late to do the right thing.

Do you need more information about an Arizona hit-and-run collision? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here for you. We are committed to helping accident victims get all of the information and support that they’re entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique circumstances of any accident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (623) 267-9283.