Phoenix, AZ — September 5, 2025, Taron Echols was killed due to a pedestrian versus truck accident just before 8:45 p.m. along 27th Drive.

According to authorities, 43-year-old Taron Echols had been a passenger in an 18-wheeler but had apparently stepped out and was on foot in the vicinity of the 27th Drive and Glenrosa Avenue intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, the truck was being repositioned by its driver when, for as yet unknown reasons, it struck Echols. The pedestrian reportedly sustained critical injuries due to the collision; he was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive immediate treatment. However, he was ultimately unable to overcome the severity of his injuries, having later been declared deceased. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone is run over by the very truck they were just riding in, it almost always points to a breakdown in coordination or awareness—not just between people, but within the system that’s supposed to keep everyone safe.

The key issue here is whether the driver knew where his passenger was before moving the truck. In trucking operations, especially during low-speed maneuvers, that’s a basic safety rule. If that check wasn’t done—or wasn’t required by the company—then someone failed to take a simple but crucial step that could have prevented a death.

There’s also the question of communication. Did the driver and passenger speak before the truck was repositioned? Was there a plan for who would do what and when? Even a short miscommunication in these situations can have irreversible consequences.

Visibility matters too, especially given the time of day. But poor lighting or obstructed views aren’t excuses if the driver didn’t use all available tools—mirrors, cameras, even physically getting out to look, if needed. If those tools weren’t present or working, then the question becomes: why not?

This kind of incident also raises questions about the company’s role. Did they train their drivers on how to safely reposition a truck when someone else is on foot nearby? Were safety protocols in place, or was it left up to chance?

None of these answers are clear yet—but that’s exactly why a full investigation is necessary. Someone doesn’t get run over in this kind of situation unless multiple things go wrong.

Key Takeaways:

• The core issue is whether the driver confirmed the passenger’s location before moving the truck.
• Even momentary miscommunication between driver and passenger can result in fatal outcomes.
• Lighting and visibility may have played a role, but only if mirrors, cameras, or other safety tools were lacking or unused.
• Company policies and training procedures should be examined to assess broader responsibility.
• A complete investigation is needed to determine what safety failures led to the fatal outcome.