CHANDLER, Ariz., Oct. 31 (UPI) -- A suburban Phoenix police officer on DUI patrol died early Friday when his motorcycle was rear-ended by a driver who left the scene.
David Payne, 37, was the second officer in the Chandler Police Department to be killed in a motorcycle crash this week. Bryant Holmes, 34, died Tuesday when a driver allegedly running a red light, struck him as he drove to work..
Police said Brian Yazzie, 31, of Tempe, Ariz., drove off after striking Payne's motorcycle. He was arrested a short distance away and faces charges that include manslaughter.
Sgt. Joe Favazzo, a spokesman for the Chandler police, said Yazzie may have been drinking before the crash. Yazzie had an 11-month-old child with him in his sedan at the time.
Payne, who joined the Chandler police seven years ago, was certified as a drug recognition officer and involved in training other police in addition to working motorcycle patrol, Favazzo said.
He is survived by a 10-year-old child.
Police said another Chandler officer was killed in a crash at the same intersection 12 years ago.
