TUCSON, AZ — A 71-year-old bicyclist was killed early Sunday in a crash on Tucson’s west side, according to police.
Authorities said the man was riding east on West Ironwood Hill Drive around 6 a.m. when a westbound vehicle turning left onto North Greasewood Road struck him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver was cited after the collision, and investigators are still working to piece together exactly what happened.
Police identify the bicyclist as Thomas Philip Roussey
Tucson police identified the bicyclist as Thomas Philip Roussey. He was 71.
Police said he was on West Ironwood Hill Drive heading east when the crash happened near North Greasewood Road. The collision involved a westbound vehicle making a left turn.
Officials did not say whether the bicyclist was in a bike lane, crossing the intersection or otherwise positioned at the time of impact. They only said he was struck during the turn.
How the crash happened near Greasewood Road
According to Tucson police, the vehicle that hit Roussey was traveling west before turning left onto North Greasewood Road. That turn put it into the path of the bicyclist riding east.
The crash happened around 6 a.m., a time when streets can still be relatively quiet but visibility can remain limited. Police did not release any additional details about lighting, traffic control or road conditions at the scene.
Investigators have not said whether speed, distraction or any other factor played a role.
Driver cited after the collision
Police said the driver of the 2024 Ford Escape, Mara Jendro, 25, was cited on suspicion of a moving violation that caused serious injury or death.
That citation indicates officers believe a traffic offense contributed to the fatal crash. Tucson police did not release the specific violation in the information they provided.
No other injuries were reported in the crash, and police have not announced any additional enforcement action.
What investigators have said so far
Tucson police said the investigation remains open. That means detectives are still reviewing the sequence of events and any evidence tied to the crash.
For now, the publicly confirmed facts are limited to the time, location, people involved and the citation issued to the driver. Police have not said whether witnesses were interviewed or whether the vehicle sustained major damage.
Updates would likely come from Tucson police as the case moves forward.
A deadly morning on Tucson's west side roadway network
The crash adds another fatal traffic episode to a major west-side corridor where drivers and bicyclists share the road. West Ironwood Hill Drive and North Greasewood Road connect neighborhoods and carry local traffic through the area.
Police did not discuss broader safety concerns in the release, but the collision underscores how quickly a routine turn can become deadly. A bicyclist traveling straight and a vehicle turning left often have only seconds to avoid each other.
In this case, Roussey did not survive the impact, and the investigation is continuing.
Police continue looking for answers after the deadly turn
Tucson police have not said when they expect the investigation to be complete. They also have not released any further findings about fault beyond the citation issued to Jendro.
For now, the case stands as a reminder of how a left turn can become fatal when a cyclist is already in the roadway. Police said the crash happened early Sunday and ended with Roussey’s death at the scene.
Anyone with additional information would typically be directed to investigators handling the case.
Local news that matters, from Dulaney Griffin.
