Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Rosa Mroz dies after being hit by car in Phoenix

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Rosa Mroz died Saturday morning from injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle while crossing a Phoenix intersection on Wednesday, the Arizona Judicial Branch announced.

Mroz was crossing the street near 56th Street and Camelback Road around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday when she was hit by a car. The Phoenix Police Department said at the time that it appeared the driver ran a red light before hitting Mroz.

She was taken to a Valley hospital in extremely critical condition where she remained until she died.

Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered on Feb. 7 in honor of Mroz, whom he described in a statement as a "beloved member of Arizona's legal community." 

"An advocate for justice, dutiful public servant and transformational leader, Judge Mroz will be missed," Ducey said. "We wish her family, loved ones and colleagues peace during this difficult time." 

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Meg Mahoney called Mroz a "most generous spirit and an extraordinary person," adding that she was kind and treated everyone like a close friend. 

Mahoney went on to say Mroz was a loving wife, devoted daughter and adoring mother to two children.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Howard Sukenic said Mroz was the "brightest of lights and an example of the best in all of us." 

"Judge Mroz was a gifted jurist, a dedicated public servant and a true friend," Maricopa County Superior Court Presiding Judge Joseph Welty said. 

Mroz was appointed to the Maricopa County Superior Court by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano in 2004. She led the court's Probate and Mental Health Department from 2010 to 2013, according to the Arizona Judicial Branch.

She had previously served as a civil litigator with the Arizona Attorney General's Office and in private practice as an associate with Fennemore Craig and Jennings, Strouss & Salmon. Mroz also served as a deputy county attorney with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

The driver who struck Mroz had not been identified as of Saturday afternoon. An investigation is ongoing.

Reach the reporter at bfrank@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8529.  Follow her on Twitter @brieannafrank. 

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