Teen arrested who Tempe police say drove into sergeant
Tempe police arrested a 17-year-old driver accused of hitting a police sergeant last Friday after a suspected street race meetup near Mill Avenue and Curry Road, according to department spokesperson Detective Natalie Barela.
The arrest comes after a weeklong investigation to find the driver. The teen faces five felony counts: aggravated assault serious injury, aggravated assault with a deadly instrument, aggravated assault of a police officer, failure to stop at an injury collision and failure to remain at an injury collision.
The teen who turns 18 in June was not identified and has been referred to the Maricopa County Juvenile Court. The Tempe police sergeant has been unable to return to work due to his injuries but is expected to make a full recovery.
Last Friday, officers were arresting another driver suspected of performing burnouts when they noticed a “gathering of vehicles” parked in a nearby handicapped area without placards, said Tempe police spokesperson Greg Bacon.
The officers noticed people in and around the cars, a pattern seen at previous street racing meetups. While on foot, police went to warn people about the violation when an SUV driver fled the scene, police said.
The SUV struck a Tempe police sergeant who was attempting to engage other drivers and occupants. The SUV then fled southbound on Mill Avenue, ignoring speed limits and traffic signs.
Police initially pursued the vehicle but backed down due to public safety concerns when they realized the vehicle’s lights were off.
Street racing a growing concern
On Feb. 2, Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Phoenix, proposed Senate Bill 1533, a bipartisan effort to address street racing by fining suspects $1,000 on top of misdemeanor charges for violations. The proceeds from the fines would go to a drag racing prevention enforcement fund designed to address a growing problem in Arizona, according to the bill.
A similar bill proposed last year did not pass because it included a 30-day impound period for violators.
The bill cleared the Senate Transportation and Technology Committee last Monday. The vote passed without any objection.
The bill will have its second hearing Monday. The hearing comes less than a month after 48 people were arrested south of Tucson for suspicion of participating in street racing.