New Times news article: Phoenix cop indicted for causing wreck while going 50 mph over limit
An un-named on duty Phoenix Police officer was indicted by grand jury on charges of aggravated assault and endangerment. The ag assault is theoretically a serious felony, but it would be unsurprising, if convicted, the sentence would be just probation [1].
The slant of the article (The NT is fairly obviously anti-police) is mostly how PPD won’t name the officer. I don’t see how it can remain undisclosed once charges get file in Superior Court.
It’s good to hear Chief Matt Giordano giving a strong message of accountability with respect to investigating, and pushing it to the County Attorney for charges (though, I would hard call 50+ over an ‘accident’! Please, #crashnotaccident )
There’s a number of police cases over the years involving egregiously bad police driving which have been entirely excused (county attorney would not bring any charges), as well as a handful where charges were brought… typically resulting in minor sanctions. Often probation[1]. They do typically get fired. These case also typically end up costing their department (that’s ultimately the taxpayers, of course) millions of dollars.
The Crash
It’s probably this one: 4343538. 2025-03-14
Cross streets are Buckeye and I-17 Non-Cardinal Frontage. The at-fault unit was a white Chevrolet SUV, speed too fast for conditions.
There were 4 people in unit #2 with one incapacitating injury and 3 injuries. The time was 00:43
[1] …often probation… see e.g. Former Scottsdale police det. Michael Lanouar who was convicted of ag assault for causing serious injuries to a couple.