On March 15, 2021, at approximately 3:00 a.m., a Peoria Police officer observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on North of 83rd Ave. south of West Bell Road. As the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, it turned around and began traveling southbound on 83rd Ave. at a high rate of speed and the officer did not follow it, but notified other officers over the radio of its location. Moments later our communications center received reports of a vehicle that had rolled over multiple times and then caught on fire at 8300 West Peoria Avenue.

This was a single-vehicle accident that involved a white 4-door sedan.

Preliminary investigation shows that the white sedan was traveling southbound on 83rd Ave. at a high rate of speed when it lost control going around the curve as the roadway turns into West Peoria Ave. The vehicle struck the curb causing it to roll over several times before landing and catching on fire. The passenger in the vehicle was ejected from the vehicle and was transported to a local hospital with significant injuries, where he later passed away. The passenger has been identified as 23-year-old Chase Nelson of Surprise, Arizona. 

The driver of the white sedan sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The intersection was closed for several hours during the investigation but was open for normal traffic at approximately 8:30 a.m.

The Peoria Police Department’s Traffic Services Unit is still investigating this incident; however, speed and possible impairment of the driver of the white sedan may be a factor in this crash. At the time of this release, no arrests have been made and no citations have been issued. 

On Feb. 22, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Peoria Police responded to an injury accident at the intersection of West Olive Avenue and North 87th Avenue. The accident involved a gray Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a black Motorcycle.

Preliminary investigation shows that the black Motorcycle was traveling eastbound on West Olive Ave. approaching 87th Ave. The driver of the SUV was traveling westbound on West Olive Ave. and was making a left turn, southbound onto North 87th Ave.

The driver of the black motorcycle sustained significant injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The driver has been identified as 50-year-old Kevin Surratt of Phoenix, Arizona.

The driver of the gray SUV sustained minor injuries and was evaluated by medical personnel at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and was cooperative during the investigation. The intersection was closed for several hours during the investigation but was open for normal traffic at approximately 9:45 p.m.

The Peoria Police Department’s Traffic Services Unit is still investigating this incident and alcohol is not believed the be a factor in this collision. At the time of this release, no arrests have been made and no citations have been issued.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety recently awarded the Peoria Police Department a total of $219,676 in grants to help increase DUI enforcement, traffic enforcement, and education in and around the City of Peoria.  Each of the grants that were graciously provided by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety will allow the department to utilize the grants for additional enforcement throughout the fiscal year by participating in saturation patrols and selective traffic enforcement details focusing on speeding, red-light running, and DUI enforcement.

The department will use $30,000 of the grant funds to continue to improve the enforcement of traffic safety laws intended to reduce death, injury, property damage and promote roadway safety; along with deterring aggressive and distracted drivers. The funds will also provide for continuing education that increases the public's awareness associated with the dangers of speeding, aggressive/distracted driving; and continue to provide training and updates on traffic laws to officers.  An additional $30,000 will be used to assist the department in combating illegal street racing activity by allowing officers to work in an overtime capacity on special details and task forces. These details and task forces are designed to enforce laws in regards to illegal street racing.  An additional $2,748 will be used to purchase a moving radar system that will be utilized to enforce speeding issues throughout the City of Peoria. 

The department will utilize $88,000 of the grant funds to reduce impaired driving which is a high-priority objective for the State of Arizona. Effective enforcement is an essential countermeasure to reducing DUI offenses and the deadly crashes that can be associated with impaired drivers. Driving while under the influence can carry a hefty price tag, including criminal and legal expenses, property damage, and more importantly the loss of human life.  We were also granted $4,955 to assist in purchasing Lifeloc FC 10 Plus portable breathe testers to assist our officers during DUI investigations.  $17,000 of the grant funds will be used to assist in training classes to help officers advance their abilities in DUI alcohol/drug detection and investigation. 

$13,379 of the grant funds provided to the City of Peoria will be used to help promote motorcycle safety in and around the City of Peoria.  This funding will allow Peoria police motorcycle officers to provide instruction to intermediate riders and further promote safe riding habits. Two motorcycle safety courses will be offered free of charge to the riding public this year. Officers will continue to address motorcycle safety through education and enforcement utilizing these funds.

The final $28,095 in grant funds will be utilized to help increase pedestrian, school zone, school bus, and bicycle safety in and around the City of Peoria.  This funding will allow Peoria police officers to focus their time and energy on making the roadways safe for pedestrians.  The Peoria Police Department plans to utilize grant funding for overtime enforcement and providing educational awareness about the traffic laws and safety rules in these areas.  This grant will also allow the department to continue their Bicycle Safety Partnership by providing instruction to grade school students as well as hosting multiple Bicycle Safety Rodeos throughout the city.  We will also be utilizing $5,519 to purchase bicycle safety helmets, which will be provided free to children during local events.  

This funding will allow Peoria police officers to provide a multi-faceted approach to traffic safety through education, deterrence, and aggressive enforcement of our state traffic and DUI laws.