PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that public school districts are not legally responsible for injuries students suffer off campus, even if the school is aware of potential safety risks nearby.
The decision stems from a lawsuit involving the Phoenix Union High School District and 14-year-old Christopher “CJ” Lucero, who was hit by a car while crossing 59th Avenue outside of a designated crosswalk on his way to Betty H. Fairfax High School. Lucero suffered serious injuries in the 2018 accident.
Attorneys representing Lucero and his family argued that the school district knew students frequently jaywalked in that area and failed to implement safety measures, such as crossing guards, fences, or warnings to students. However, the Arizona Supreme Court disagreed, saying the legal duty of care for school officials begins only when a student enters school property or is under school supervision, such as on a bus or during a school-sponsored activity.
In the opinion authored by Chief Justice Ann Timmer, the court emphasized that although the injuries were tragic, the incident occurred on a public roadway — not property owned or controlled by the school.
“Although the accident was tragic, the school district did not owe a duty of care because the risk that caused CJ’s injuries did not arise while he was under the school’s supervision or control,” Timmer wrote.
The court also pointed out that the school district had no authority over the road where the accident occurred or over the vacant lot across the street, where some parents were reportedly dropping students off. In fact, school officials had previously advised families not to use that lot.
This ruling reverses an earlier decision from a lower court that had allowed the lawsuit to move forward. That court found the district could potentially be held liable given its knowledge of the student drop-off patterns. However, the Supreme Court’s decision sends the case back to the trial court with instructions to rule in the district’s favor.
Legal experts say the ruling reinforces a longstanding principle that schools are only obligated to ensure student safety when they have direct oversight or control. Critics argue that the decision could create gaps in student protection, especially in neighborhoods with limited pedestrian infrastructure.
Phoenix Union officials have not publicly commented on the ruling but have previously stated that student safety remains a priority. The district continues to coordinate with local authorities to improve traffic safety near school campuses.
The case could influence how other Arizona school districts approach drop-off zones and student access routes in the future, particularly in busy urban areas where crossing major streets is part of many students’ daily routines.
