Incident on State Route 51: Police Respond to Armed Man on Phoenix Freeway

In a recent event that captured the attention of Phoenix residents, State Route 51, a major freeway in central Phoenix, was temporarily closed due to a concerning situation involving an armed man in his car. The incident unfolded on August 30, 2023, and led to a closure lasting over an hour. Let’s take a closer look at the details surrounding this incident and the response from law enforcement.

The Unfolding Situation: According to reports from the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the incident began when drivers on State Route 51 started making frantic 911 calls. They had noticed a man slumped over inside his car, which was stopped in one of the middle northbound lanes of the freeway, just north of McDowell Road. The man appeared to be unconscious and was not responsive to the surroundings.

The Presence of a Firearm: As authorities arrived on the scene, they discovered a concerning element — an AK-style pistol was spotted inside the man’s vehicle. This discovery raised immediate concerns about public safety and prompted law enforcement to exercise caution while dealing with the situation.

An Approach with Precaution: DPS troopers on the scene faced a delicate challenge. The driver was unresponsive to their commands, and the presence of the firearm added an extra layer of complexity. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, troopers employed less-lethal methods to extract the man from the vehicle.

A Collaborative Effort: Recognizing the need for specialized intervention, the Phoenix Police Department’s Special Assignment Unit was called in to assist. Their expertise in handling delicate and potentially dangerous situations allowed them to devise a plan to safely bring the driver into custody. While exact details of the operation weren’t disclosed, the successful execution of the plan highlights the importance of well-coordinated law enforcement efforts.

Ensuring Public Safety: Throughout the incident, the priority for law enforcement was to ensure the safety of both the public and the individuals involved. This led to the temporary closure of State Route 51 in both directions. Northbound drivers were directed to exit at McDowell Road, while southbound drivers were rerouted to exit at Thomas Road.

Resolution and Reopening: Thankfully, the situation was resolved without any reported injuries. The man was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation before being booked into jail. Following the successful intervention, both sides of the freeway were reopened to traffic just after 7:30 p.m.