Phoenix police: Woman accidentally runs over man she was trying to help

Phoenix police say a man died on Thursday afternoon after a woman who was trying to help him with a medical issue forgot to put her vehicle in park, causing it to run over him.

Police say 34-year-old Michael Phillips was standing on the sidewalk near Bell Road and 42nd Avenue when "it appeared he was having a medical event," according to a release from the Phoenix Police Department.

A 55-year-old woman pulled over in her 2004 Buick Sedan to help Phillips, who fell into the roadway as she stopped her car.

Police say that in her rush to help Phillips, she forgot to put her car in park and it proceeded to roll over him.

Phillips was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police say the woman, who is unidentified, remained at the scene and didn't show signs of impairment.

Police say the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause of death.

Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or perry.vandell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @PerryVandell.

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