Phoenix Municipal Court hearing officer Susan Hawkins dies after being struck by truck inside downtown garage
What happened
A Phoenix Municipal Court hearing officer died Wednesday after being struck by a truck inside a downtown city parking garage, Phoenix police said. The victim was identified as Susan Hawkins, 60, who worked for the Phoenix Municipal Court.
Police said the collision occurred shortly after 4:15 p.m. as the truck was making a turn within the garage. Hawkins was transported to a hospital with injuries and later pronounced dead. The driver remained at the scene, and investigators said impairment is not believed to have been a factor.
Where the collision occurred
The incident took place in a city employee parking garage near the Phoenix Municipal Court complex in downtown Phoenix. Police described the location as near the corner of Adams Street and 3rd Avenue, with the courthouse situated across the street from the garage.
Hawkins’ role at the court
Hawkins served as a municipal court hearing officer. In that capacity, her work included presiding over arraignments and hearings for civil traffic and non-traffic matters.
The Phoenix Municipal Court is a limited-jurisdiction court within Arizona’s court system. It handles a large volume of cases, including civil traffic violations and misdemeanor criminal matters. Court operations depend on a mix of judicial officers, hearing officers, clerks, security staff and administrative personnel to manage daily calendars and public-facing services.
What investigators are likely to examine next
Police have not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the impact, including the truck’s speed, the driver’s line of sight, lighting conditions inside the garage, or whether surveillance video captured the collision.
In fatal traffic collisions within Phoenix city limits, investigators typically work to determine what occurred and whether any traffic or criminal violations were involved. That review can include physical evidence at the scene, vehicle damage analysis, witness interviews, video review when available, and records such as driver statements and vehicle data.
Status of the driver: Police said the driver stayed at the scene. No arrest or citation has been announced.
Impairment: Investigators said impairment is not believed to have contributed, but they have not detailed what testing or observations supported that conclusion.
Timeline: The collision was reported shortly after 4:15 p.m. Wednesday; Hawkins later died at the hospital.
Police have indicated the investigation remained in its early stages, and further details were not immediately available.
What is known and what remains unclear
Confirmed information so far includes Hawkins’ identity and age, the location, the approximate time, and the basic description that she was struck by a truck turning inside the garage. Unanswered questions include how Hawkins came to be in the truck’s path, whether there were contributing design or traffic-control factors within the garage, and whether enforcement action will follow once investigators complete their review.
Phoenix police have not announced a timeline for releasing additional findings.