A tragic accident in a Peoria neighborhood Tuesday morning claimed the life of a 78-year-old man after a vehicle rolled backward down a driveway.
According to the Peoria Police Department, officers and emergency medical crews responded around 10:30 a.m. to the area of El Mirage and Jomax roads for reports of a single-vehicle crash.
Preliminary findings indicate that a white 2019 Toyota RAV4 had arrived at a residence and was parked in the driveway. Both the driver and passenger exited the vehicle. The passenger, identified as Arnold Anderson, 78, of Peoria, walked to the rear of the SUV to speak with a nearby neighbor.
Authorities say the driver then leaned back into the vehicle to turn it off while it was still running. Moments later, the SUV began to roll backward down the driveway, striking both Anderson and the neighbor.
Anderson suffered significant injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The neighbor sustained minor injuries and did not require hospitalization. The driver was not injured and is cooperating fully with investigators.
Police have described the incident as a “tragic” accident. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to review the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
