The Tucson Police Department is actively investigating a fatal motorcycle collision involving an on-duty TPD officer that occurred on July 11, 2016, shortly before 11:00 p.m. According to TPD, officers responded to a report of a fight occurring in the parking lot of 4676 E. Grant Rd. Prior to the officer’s arrival, they were advised the fight involved two males and one of them had a baton.
As officers were approaching the scene, they received additional information stating one unknown person left in a truck and another person was preparing to leave on a motorcycle. Officers and the Air Unit arrived on scene and observed the person on the motorcycle leaving the parking lot southbound on Swan Rd. at a high rate of speed. The Air Unit reported the actions of the motorcycle rider from a distance and without the use of the spotlight.
TPD reports that the Air Unit officers observed the motorcycle continue to travel at a high rate of speed southbound on Swan Rd. through E. Pima St. and not slow down as it traveled through E. Speedway Blvd. The Air Unit reported that the motorcycle was moving in between vehicles and at one point nearly collided with a vehicle pulling onto Swan Rd. from E. 3rd St.
Within minutes of the original call, an officer driving a 2007 fully marked Tucson Police Department Ford Crown Victoria was northbound on Swan Rd. past E. Broadway Blvd. The officer pulled into the left turn lane area at E. Holmes St. and waited for additional information on the possible whereabouts of the motorcycle rider. After waiting for a period of time, the officer began to make a turn when he was struck by the motorcycle on the front passenger side of the patrol vehicle near the wheel. The motorcycle rider, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from the motorcycle and landed in the roadway.
Additional officers responded to the scene and immediately began performing first aid on the motorcycle rider while simultaneously requesting paramedic assistance. Members from the Tucson Fire Department arrived on scene a short time later and took over treatment. The motorcycle rider was transported to Banner University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries but later succumbed to injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The officer was evaluated by paramedics on scene but did not require transport to a hospital.
Detectives from the Tucson Police Department Traffic Investigations Unit, Night Detectives Unit and the Office of Professional Standards responded to the scene to continue the investigation. The Traffic Investigations Unit and the Night Detectives Unit are conducting a criminal investigation into the incident. Additionally, the Office of ProfessionalS tandards is conducting a separate and parallel administrative investigation to examine the actions of department personnel in response to this incident. This is standard protocol in all traffic fatalities involving an officer.
The name of the motorcycle rider and the officer are being withheld at this time as the investigation is ongoing. Detectives are attempting to locate the driver of the truck that left the parking lot at 4676 E. Grant Rd. ahead of the motorcycle. The truck was described as a light-colored Toyota 4×4 and was last seen southbound on Swan Rd. Detectives are asking anyone that has any information related to this incident to please call 911 or 88-CRIME, you can remain anonymous.