http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/107513

Published: 12.18.2005

The hit-kill-and-run state: Arizona nears grim title
Studies suggest high rate has link to illegal migrants
By Mitch Tobin and Tim Ellis
ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Arizona consistently has one of the nation's highest rates of fatal hit-and-run crashes.

And some statistical evidence suggests the state's large number of illegal immigrants is one reason.

An Arizona Daily Star analysis of nearly 10,000 fatal crashes in the state from 1994 through 2004 found that drivers left the scene in 5.6 percent of the accidents. That's a higher rate of hit-and-runs than in any state except California.

Just in 2004, 77 people in Arizona died in hit-and-runs.

Over the past decade, half of Arizona's fatal hit-and-runs involved pedestrians â€â€