AZDPS gets grant to replace patrol cars

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) recently received a grant to purchase two fullyequipped and marked patrol cars to replace two that were destroyed recently, one of which happened at the scene of a crash along Interstate 8 near Yuma.

The grant, in the amount of $95,519.96, was given by the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and will be used to replace the two patrol vehicles, both of which were totaled back on May 22, during collisions caused by distracted drivers.

“Our thanks to the GOHS Director Alberto Gutier for always helping the Department with its needs, in this case, providing two vehicles that are essential to the Department’s mission,” said AZDPS Assistant Director, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Lugo. “Distracted driving is a significant factor in many highway crashes, often with deadly results. We are fortunate neither trooper was injured in these incidents. We will continue to educate drivers to focus their full attention on their driving.”

One of the patrol vehicles was struck while the DPS trooper was conducting a commercial truck inspection by the side of the road near Eloy. The second patrol vehicle was struck while stopped along Interstate 8 at a collision scene near Yuma. The collisions occurred just a few hours apart, but fortunately, neither resulted in injuries to the involved troopers.

Gutier added, “We at GOHS are always trying to enhance traffic enforcement in order to protect our motoring residents and visitors.”

The vehicles will be fully marked and equipped with standard police lighting packages including siren and radio. The vehicles will be assigned to troopers to respond to emergency calls for service and patrol the state’s highways.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 5396854. Find him on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.