PHOENIX — One person is dead after a car crashed into a central Phoenix business Sunday night, catching the building on fire.
Phoenix police say they were called to the area near 19th Avenue and Buckeye Road just before 10 p.m. for a reported crash into a business.
As officers were heading to the scene, they learned a fire had ignited near the crash, and the building had caught fire.
On Monday, police said the crash occurred after the driver, identified as 25-year-old Jose Valenzuela Cota, was believed to be driving westbound at a high rate of speed before losing control and crashing into the establishment.
Phoenix firefighters put out the fire and checked the vehicle for anyone inside.
Valenzuela Cota was located in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The building that was hit was a part of iCoat, a decorative concrete company. Manager Chance Phelps says it’s the third time this business has been hit or almost hit.
Phelps says speeding is a big problem at that intersection.
“This intersection is really dangerous. People don't realize that when they’re coming out here, there’s a blind corner,” Phelps said. “If you were to stand here for five minutes, you’d probably hear half the cars squeak by here because they don't know they’re going way too fast. I don't know why everyone is in such a hurry, but they are.”
Reginald McKinley, the owner of Reggie’s BBQ House next door, says he put up cones hoping people would slow down.
“It really could’ve been my business. It could’ve shut me down,” McKinley said.
Phelps said the building that was hit and caught on fire was their main warehouse, where they stored their products.
"I was just worried we wouldn’t have a business to come to, but it looks like we’re able to get everything fixed up and rebuilt,” he said.
What led up to the crash and fire, including whether impairment was involved, remains under investigation.
