Police detective killed in crash not wearing helmet

An off-duty Chandler police detective killed Saturday in a crash on State Route 347 was driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle without a helmet, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Sean McKenzie, 41, of Queen Creek, was pronounced dead at the scene. McKenzie had been with the Chandler Police Department since April 2001.

A woman riding with McKenzie was a wearing helmet, according to DPS. She was airlifted to a local hospital.

The crash occurred around 11:40 a.m. on northbound SR 347, just south of Riggs Road.

The motorcycle “abruptly” moved from the slow lane to the fast lane in front of a Nissan SUV, according to DPS. The right front corner of the Nissan SUV struck the backend of the motorcycle.

McKenzie and the passenger were thrown from the bike.

Sgt. Joe Favazzo of the Chandler Police Department said McKenzie started at the department working patrol and was most recently working as a detective in the family crimes unit.

McKenzie had served in the U.S. Army. He had a 15-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.

A Facebook page created for the woman who was flown to a hospital described her injuries as serious.

In Arizona, motorcycle operators who are 18 years or older do not have to wear a helmet.