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How did Nick Oza die? Pulitzer-winning photojournalist captured lives of immigrants

'He (Nick Oza) cared deeply about his work and the people around him. A tragic loss for the community,' said a user

Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Nick Oza died on Monday, September 27. He was 57 years old. He was a staff photojournalist at the Arizona Republic.

Nick Oza had been hospitalized since September 3, after a single-vehicle car accident in Phoenix left him seriously injured. "Our hearts go out to Nick’s wife Jacquelyn, daughter Shanti, and the Oza family," said Greg Burton, executive editor of The Republic. He further said Oza "changed the way we see each other and, true to his calling, the way we see ourselves in the struggles of others." We have reported the demise of many literary greats in recent months. Janet Malcolm, Dick Stolley, Chi Modu are to name a few. 

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Nick Oza joined The Arizona Republic's photo staff in 2006. His signature immersive style of photography captured emotions and was often expressed through a subject’s eyes or hands. He often worked with people as they suffered through testing times, cleaning up a hurricane-ravaged house, or were anxious about looming deportation. Oza was well known in the community of Latino immigrants in Phoenix. He often documented protest actions. According to his website, Nick's "multimedia work has been honored with an Emmy Award and his documentary photos have received honors from Pictures of the Year International and NPPA's Best of Photojournalism. He was also awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service as part of the Biloxi Sun Herald's coverage of Hurricane Katrina."

'We’ll miss you dearly, Nick'

People remembered the iconic photographer and paid tribute to him on social media. One person tweeted, "He was a storyteller, an artist of light and the voice to enlighten others. We’ll miss you dearly, Nick." Another user said, "If you've ever been around Nick, you immediately see his passion, his sense of humor, his kindness. He cared deeply about his work and the people around him. A tragic loss for the community." Another tweet said, "Nick Oza, Arizona Republic photographer and Pulitzer Prize-winner, dies. “(Nick) changed the way we see each other and, true to his calling, the way we see ourselves in the struggles of others"." One tweet read, "Nick was an incredible journalist and even better human. "His deep love for people and all of their joys and anguish made him an easy friend to turn to in good times and bad times... He didn’t just experience them with you, he felt them, too"." One person said, "RIP Nick… I first met him during the migrant caravan coverage in Mexico in 2018, and presidential inauguration last January. He was one of the nicest people I’ve met…"