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May 8, 2008 - 10:01PM
Report: Motorcyclist going 90 mph in fatal crash
Comments | RecommendDavid Biscobing, Tribune
A Queen Creek man killed in Gilbert late last year while fleeing Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies on a motorcycle was riding at nearly twice the speed limit and smashed into oncoming traffic, police records released this week show.
Dennis Hester, 20, died Nov. 27 at Power and Williams Field roads.
He slammed into a car while trying to pass two vehicles, records show. The impact threw him into another vehicle, and his body came to rest more than 100 feet away from the initial impact.
Hester’s arm was severed during the crash. Despite the efforts of two witnesses who gave him CPR, he died at the scene.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office listed the cause of death as “blunt force trauma,” records show. Police are also awaiting toxicology tests.
Two deputies in separate vehicles began following Hester near Rittenhouse and Hawes roads, where they tried pulling him over.
However, he sped away and ran two stop signs and a red light before the deputies lost him.
Police haven’t determined why Hester was fleeing. However, he was driving on a suspended license and was on probation for being convicted for underage drinking and driving, records show.
Police estimate that Hester was going about 90 mph when he collided with the car. The posted speed limit was 45 mph.
Members of Hester’s family have raised concerns of misconduct about the chase.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has a policy banning high-speed pursuits in traffic or property offenses.
However, witnesses estimated that neither of the two deputies came within 600 feet of Hester, and their lights and sirens were on, records show.
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