Motorcyclist Dies After West Phoenix Crash; Police Seek Driver Who Fled

PHOENIX — A 47-year-old motorcyclist has died from injuries sustained in a September collision near 27th Avenue and Adams Street, and Phoenix police are seeking help identifying a driver who left the scene.

In an October 22 update, police said Roger Laurence Bunten died at the hospital on October 17, nearly a month after the crash.

Officers responded to the area of 2700 West Adams Street at approximately 7:15 a.m. on September 21 following reports of a collision involving a motorcycle and two vehicles.

According to investigators, Bunten was traveling westbound on Adams Street when he failed to stop for a red light while turning southbound onto 27th Avenue. His motorcycle collided with a gray Hyundai SUV traveling northbound through a green light, police said.

Moments later, a second vehicle, believed to be a tan sedan, struck Bunten while he was on the ground. Police said that the driver left before officers arrived.

The Hyundai driver, identified as 30-year-old Jesse Rae Swigart, remained at the scene and was not injured.

Phoenix Fire personnel transported Bunten to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Detectives with the Phoenix Police Department’s Vehicular Crimes Unit took over the investigation.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the tan sedan or its driver to contact the Phoenix Police Department or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377). Spanish-speaking callers can call 480-TESTIGO (480-837-8446).

Incident number: 2026-1324149

Source: Phoenix Police Department, October 22, 2026 update.