The identification of a pedestrian who lost her life earlier this week after a car struck her in Phoenix, Arizona, calls for the expertise of a top accident lawyer. The Arizona Department of Public Safety officials disclosed the victim’s identity on Wednesday, May 28, as Noelia Gastelium, a 28-year-old woman from Phoenix.
Officials said Gastellium died on Monday, May 25, following a vehicle-pedestrian crash on Interstate 17, near Indian School Road. It happened at about 2:45 a.m. and left one other victim hospitalized with major injuries.
A 27-year-old woman, identified as Palina Khastal of Peoria, was behind the wheels of the involved vehicle. After hitting the pedestrian, officers reported that the woman fled the scene and parked her vehicle a few blocks away.
Troopers found the suspect about two hours later in the parking lot of Wendy’s, located near the area of Camelback Road and 23rd Avenue. They apprehended her at about 4:30 a.m.
When interrogated, the woman said she was on her way home when she heard the loud thud suggesting she struck someone near Indian School Road. Kastel said the road was dark, and hence, prevented her from seeing the pedestrian on time. She admitted to not notifying authorities immediately because she was scared.
The motorist told officers she called some relatives and friends and was about calling the police when troopers accosted her. She did not appear impaired at the time.
Deputies charged the motorist with failure to remain at the scene of a fatal collision, according to the accident reports.
A top accident lawyer can review the case and determine which of the involved parties bears the greater liability in the crash.
Disclaimer: The Accident News article you just read includes information obtained from numerous sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, websites and press releases from law enforcement, the county coroner, fire departments, and other news outlets. While we strive to provide readers with the most accurate information, sometimes the information received is not entirely accurate. For complete details, please refer to an official police report.
The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Accident News’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.
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