Speeding Cop Kills Driver, Himself

Officer Killed In Off-Duty Crash Drove 111 MPH
October 3
MESA, Ariz. -- A Phoenix police officer who died in an off-duty crash in August
was driving at more than 110 mph when he lost control of his car and smashed
into an oncoming Jeep, killing that driver too, a report shows.


Officer Jonathan Stuart, 24, of Maricopa, was returning home from his shift when
he crashed north of Maricopa on Aug. 11, according to the Gila River Police
Department report. As he sped south on State Route 347, he lost control and his
Pontiac went airborne before smashing into the Jeep driven by fellow Maricopa
resident Mark J. Ream, 51.


The normal 65 mph speed limit on that stretch of roadway had been lowered to 45
mph at the time of the crash because of roadwork.


Witnesses estimated Stuart's speed at between 90 and 100 mph, but Gila River
officers determined Stuart was driving at 111 mph when he lost control.


The Gila River report also stated Stuart had been pulled over a week prior to
the accident for speeding.