10-Year-Old Dies After Phoenix Wrong-Way Crash; Driver Booked on Murder Count

By Habari News | October 16, 2026

PHOENIX — A 10-year-old girl has died, and a woman remains in critical condition following a two-vehicle collision involving an allegedly impaired, wrong-way driver near 18th and Washington streets, according to Phoenix police.

Police identified the truck driver as Richard Michael Blackstar, 59, who was booked into jail on one count of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Blackstar is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Police Say Truck Traveled the Wrong Way

Phoenix police and fire crews responded to the collision in the 1800 block of East Washington Street at approximately 11 a.m. on October 14.

According to investigators, a silver passenger vehicle was traveling south on 18th Street when a black truck traveling eastbound in the wrong direction on Washington Street struck its passenger side.

The driver of the silver vehicle, identified by police as Frankeesue Palazzo, 34, and the 10-year-old passenger were taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Blackstar was also hospitalized with injuries police described as non-life-threatening.

Child Dies; Woman Remains Critically Injured

The girl died from her injuries on October 15, police said. Her name was not included in the release.

Palazzo remained in critical condition at the time of the police announcement.

Police did not specify the relationship between Palazzo and the child.

Investigators Report Signs of Impairment

Officers observed signs of impairment in Blackstar, according to the release. A Drug Recognition Expert evaluated him, and investigators believe he was impaired at the time of the collision.

The announcement does not identify a suspected substance or provide toxicology results.

Detectives with the Phoenix Police Department’s Vehicular Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Blackstar’s booking number is G288050. The collision is listed under incident number 2026-1442151.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Source: Phoenix Police Department release supplied to Habari News.