Taylor White, a 21-year old student who studied at Grand Canyon University (GCU) and a teenage friend went for a Sunday evening jogging. Vehicles and other road users were waiting for the traffic light to turn green when White and his friend reached 31st Avenue and Camelback Road at around 8:20 p.m.
At that moment, a white colored SUV maneuvered around other waiting cars and sped towards the intersection. The men were already in the crosswalk when a deadly hit-and-run took Taylor White’s life. The Ford Expedition struck White, but his friend managed to escape without injury. The car, caught on camera, fled westward to avoid a case of wrongful death.
According to witnesses, the driver made no attempt to stop, but sped off immediately. The Phoenix Fire Department came and confirmed the victim dead on the spot.
Police Arrive on Scene
The Police arrived at the scene at approximately 9 p.m. They then locked down 29th Avenue to 35th Avenues for many hours in search of the deadly hit-and-run driver. Members of the public could view pictures and videos of the suspect’s car after obtained from a city bus. The videos clearly showed the hit-and-run crash car fleeing the scene of the crime was a white Ford Expedition.
Phoenix police Sgt. Vincent Lewis announced on Monday, April 16th that they had located the SUV, but no driver was located.
Witnesses who know anything about this case of wrongful death can make an anonymous call to Silent Witness through the number 480-WITNESS for English speakers or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish-speaking callers.
Parents of Taylor White Do Not Seek Vengeance
In an interview with the press, White’s parents, though very much devastated by the loss, revealed that their son was to be married to a beautiful girl h met while at university. They had dated for a while and had intended to marry on April 28th in Seattle, Washington.
Angela, White’s mother, told newsmen that they do not look for vengeance against the suspect, though the driver must face the wrath of the law if caught because this is a case of wrongful death. White’s father, Nate, stated that the family has a strong religious background and put their faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that their son is in a better place with the Lord.
Adding to her husband’s statement, Angela said that they believe that their son is with God in heaven. White’s parents expressed gratitude to the people and communities who are joining them to grieve for the loss of their son.
The White family belonged to God and she believed he is always there for them in times like this. She strongly believed that their son would want them to come out of sorrow and move on with their lives.
White is described as a young man with a daring spirit who loved adventures and was a man of his word. He graduated from Pine Creek High before attending GCU. At GCU he participated in many wrestling competition for his team and was also serious about his academics. He worked as a market rep for a company which produced energy drink. White was also a registered guide at Wilderness Expedition. He loved life and lived every day to the fullest.
GCU Mourns & Remembers Taylor White
The university where White studied Athletics Training was saddened at the news of this wrongful death. The mood was somber, as every student was asked to keep the victim and his family in their hearts. A spokesman for the Grand Canyon University in Phoenix said that the school regrets the death of their student Taylor White.
Phoenix Wrongful Death Accidents
After a loved one is taken unexpectedly, family and loved ones need time to heal and adjust to their loss. In wrongful death accidents that involve a missing at-fault driver, families may have a harder time finding closure.
At Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys, our legal team knows first-hand the effect such a loss can have on a family and empathize with the White family and Taylor White’s fiancée. Our sincerest condolences are with them.