PHOENIX – Police are investigating a double hit-and-run that occurred early July 11 at a Phoenix intersection, resulting in the death of a dog and its owner.
What we know:
First, a car struck the dog of 29-year-old Brittney Geib. Moments later, a second car drove by and hit Geib. Police are now asking for video evidence and eyewitness accounts to help crack the case.
Sgt. Brian Bower with the Phoenix Police Department explained that Geib was walking with her dog at the intersection of Elwood Street and 51st Avenue in South Phoenix.
Both the woman and her dog were pronounced dead at the scene.
What they’re saying:
Neighbors in the Phoenix community are stunned by the news.
“Knowing that a dog died and then the owner too… it makes it scary knowing that just happened,” said Janet, a neighbor.
“It’s horrible,” said Vic Barber, another neighbor.
Bower stated, “Based on a lot of the witness statements themselves, it makes it seem like it happened almost instantly — one after the other.”
“We have a witness who saw the victim standing in the middle of the roadway, and it looked like the dog was still on the ground,” Bower said. “When she turned to try to make her way back out to where the victim was to help out, that’s when she noticed that there was another accident, and the woman was now in the roadway with the dog.”
What we don’t know:
Without surveillance video, detectives are relying on this eyewitness account and debris found on the road to identify the vehicles. They believe both vehicles are Toyotas: the first, which hit the dog, is thought to be a Tacoma truck, and the second, which struck Geib, is believed to be a Camry sedan. Police do not know the colors of the vehicles, but both drivers continued without stopping.
“It’s not out of the realm of possibilities that both drivers didn’t know what was going on,” Bower said, adding, “We’re hoping that if they happen to see this coverage, that they will come out, come forward, to give their side of the story.”
Bower emphasized the importance of witnesses coming forward, especially since the incident happened at 1 a.m.
“You could come out here at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. and people are walking their dogs,” said Barber, who was with his dog Max.
Barber expressed his grief, understanding the strong bond someone can have with a pet. “I would probably break down and cry. He came into my life, I was going to save him, but we ended up saving each other. He’s my baby boy.”
What you can do:
If you witnessed anything, or if you have a dash camera in your car and were driving in this intersection shortly before the incident, you are urged to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. You can provide information anonymously, and any details leading to an arrest will be eligible for a $2,000 reward.
Map of where the crashes happened
