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(+)Officer Adrian Arellano #2397 |
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It is with a very heavy heart that the El Paso Municipal Police Officers’ Association sadly announces the passing of one of its members in a traffic collision.
On Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at approximately 1:54 PM, Officer Adrian Arellano, a 10-year veteran of the El Paso Police Department, was working off-duty in uniform conducting a funeral escort. He was riding a motorcycle equipped with active emergency lights and siren, north on Yarbrough Dr. Another escort officer, also with his motorcycle lights and siren activated, was blocking traffic on Edgemere Blvd. A 2014 gray Honda Civic, driven by Maria Soto, 54 years of age, from Santa Teresa, New Mexico, was traveling westbound on Edgemere Blvd. and disregarded the escort officer who was conducting traffic control. The Honda entered the intersection in front of Officer Arellano, causing a T-bone collision.
Officer Arellano collided with the driver’s side of the Honda and became separated from his motorcycle. Indications are that Ms. Soto did enter the intersection with a green light, but had disregarded the second funeral escort officer’s traffic directions; stopping all traffic on Edgemere.
Officer Arellano sustained serious injuries and was transported to Del Sol Medical Center where he later died. The Honda Civic had two passengers; one front passenger and another in the rear. Both the driver (Soto) and a 14-year old female (rear seat passenger) were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Special Traffic Investigations (STI) unit responded to the scene and conducted an investigation, which continues. Any decision regarding charges against the driver of the Honda will be made once the investigation is concluded and along with consultation with the District Attorney’s Office.
Funeral services for Officer Adrian Arellano are pending. The El Paso Municipal Police Officers’ Association asks that you please keep Officer Arellano’s Family, as well as his friends and co-workers in your thoughts and prayers. Please drive safely!
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