Staff Report / tempelocal.org

On December 9, 1998, Officer Juan N. Cruz, an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer, was involved in a fatal collision on Interstate 10 in Tucson. Officer Cruz and multiple officers were blocking a traffic lane with their patrol vehicles while investigating a previous accident. A 21-year-old woman driving a vehicle crossed into the crash scene and struck the rear of Officer Cruz's vehicle. At the time of the impact, Officer Cruz was seated inside his vehicle.

Officer Cruz sustained fatal injuries and passed away as a result of the collision. He had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 17 years at the time of his death. The driver responsible for the accident pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received an 11-year prison sentence.

For more information, visit www.azdps.gov/fallen-troopers.

Source: Arizona DPS

Source Type: Police

Source Location:

Tucson, AZ

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