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Officer David Payne, 37, killed in rear-end collision with alleged drunk driver Brian Yazzie, 31, at Chandler Boulevard and Pennington Drive

Modified Date: 
Sat, 08/15/2015 - 7:59am
Accident Date: 
Friday, October 31, 2014

No plea deal in 2014 crash that killed a Chandler policeman

A man charged in a 2014 hit-and-run crash that killed a Chandler police officer has turned down a plea agreement. Maricopa County prosecutors say Brian Yazzie was offered a plea deal in court Friday. Police say Officer David Payne was rear-ended on his patrol motorcycle while stopped at a red light on Oct. 31, 2014. Yazzie's trial is scheduled to start Nov. 2 and he could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Court records show the 32-year-old Yazzie allegedly was under the influence when he crashed into Payne's motorcycle and fled the scene.
"Unfortunately, we had a DUI driver driving on a suspended license who rear-ended our officer and took his life last night," Favazzo said.

Community honors 2 Chandler officers killed in crashes

Payne was a seven-year veteran of the department. Donation accounts have been established for the families of Payne and Holmes. Contributions can be at any branch office of Arizona Bank & Trust: Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and members of the Sheriff's Office Memorial Fund will give the families of the two officers $25,000 each.

Suspect in Chandler officer's traffic death intoxicated

A Tempe resident who struck and killed a Chandler police officer early Halloween morning was driving with a suspended license and had a blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit when he was arrested, according to police reports.
A Chandler police officer dedicated his career to enforcing driving under the influence laws until a driver who police believe to be drunk took his life in a collision early Friday morning. Police said Officer David Payne, 37, was sitting on his motorcycle around 12:40 a.m. Friday when he was rear-ended at Chandler Boulevard and Pennington Drive. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased soon after. Police arrested Brian Yazzie, 31, of Tempe, on suspicion of manslaughter and hit-and-run.Yazzie was driving a black sedan and had an 11-month-old child inside the car at the time of the crash. Investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the accident, and Yazzie was driving on a license that was suspended. Payne was a seven-year veteran with the Chandler police and a certified drug-recognition expert who was as a trainer for other officers. An account has been set up for the family of Payne, and donors can contribute at any branch office of Arizona Bank and Trust. Officer David Payne, account #9361089137, Family Support Group Inc., Fallen Officer Support Fund.

 

 
Type: Car Accident
People Involved: 
Brian Yazzie
David Payne
Roadway: 
Chandler Boulevard and Pennington Drive
City: 
Chandler, AZ
County: 
Maricopa County, AZ
Area: 
Phoenix, AZ

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