The Phoenix Police Department has identified the woman and baby who died after a multi-vehicle crash at a major central Phoenix intersection early Friday afternoon.
The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Kristina Lara and 2-month-old Josiah Lara.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, on October 25, 2024, around 1:20 p.m., officers responded to a serious injury collision in the area of 2800 South 19th Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and located a passenger car with multiple children and an adult female with various injuries. Two of the passengers, Kristina Lara and Josiah Lara were listed in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Both were transported to local hospitals where they were later pronounced deceased.
Three other young children were also taken to local hospitals. Their condition has been updated as non-incapacitating.
Detectives believe that a silver colored sedan driven by a 23-year-old male was traveling southbound on 19th Avenue. Witnesses describe seeing the vehicle weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed and accelerating on a yellow light when the vehicle collided with a black pickup truck.
The black pickup truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling northbound on 19th Avenue when the driver attempted to make a left turn onto West Lower Buckeye Road. The front of the silver colored sedan collided with the front of black pickup truck in the intersection. The driver of the black pickup truck was not injured, remained on scene and was evaluated for impairment. At this time impairment is not believed to be a factor.
The 4 children were not restrained in child safety seats.