2 MPD officers among injured in accident; SR 347 closed (updated at 3:27 p.m.)

Two Maricopa police officers were among several injured in an 8-vehicle accident this morning on SR 347. The accident occurred at 10:47 a.m. on southbound SR 347 south of Maricopa Road and led to the highway’s closure in both directions.

“At least three motorcycles, including two of ours, went down,” Maricopa police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Judd said while on his way to the hospital.

Officer Pete Torres and Officer Ricky Alvarado were providing an escort for the W. Steven Martin Police Toy Drive, a charity motorcycle ride from Chandler Harley-Davidson to Native New Yorker in Maricopa, when the collision occurred. Both officers were flown to St. Joe’s Hospital.

Three medical helicopters were used to transport the injured to area hospitals. Judd said none of the injuries from the accident were believed to be life-threatening.

Update submitted by Brad Pitassi, MFD Field Public Information Officer, at 3:27 p.m. Sunday:

At 10:45 a.m. this morning the Maricopa Fire Department was called to provide mutual aid to the Gila River Fire Department for a motor vehicle accident with injuries involving two City of Maricopa motorcycle officers on SR 347, two miles north of Riggs Rd. The officers were serving as police escorts for the participants of the 23rd annual W. Steven Martin Toy Run. There were numerous motorcycles involved in the event and the procession was two miles long. The event started in Chandler and was headed towards the Native New Yorker in Maricopa.

When fire units arrived on scene they found two officers and one participant injured. One officer was flown via Native Air to St. Joe’s trauma center with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The second officer was taken by ground to St. Joe’s for further evaluation and monitoring with minor injuries. The injured participant had minor injuries as well and was taken by ground to Scottsdale Osborn Trauma Center.

All three riders involved in this accident were wearing full protective equipment, helmets, jackets, pants, etc. There is no question as to the fact that their helmets saved their lives today. This is another example of a helmet making a difference between being involved in an accident and walking away from it or not surviving.

The cause of the accident is unknown at this time, and DPS is conducting a full investigation of the events.

Photos by Scott Bartle