Chandler Police Officer Stops Runaway Van
For Immediate Release
Tuesday March 4, 2008

CHANDLER, AZ. On March 4, 2008 at approximately 9:30am, a Chandler Police motor officer came across a hit and run accident that had just occurred at Pennington Dr. and Chandler Blvd. He advised a white full sized van with front-end damage had hit the other vehicle and was now westbound on Chandler Blvd. Officer Brian Morgenthaler was eastbound and observed the van.

Morgenthaler turned around and was soon behind the van. He then noticed that it was driving erratically and striking the raised median. Morgenthaler attempted to stop the van by using his lights and siren but the van drifted back to the right hitting the curb. The van was traveling at approximately 10-15 mph. Morgenthaler pulled up to the driver’s side of the van where he noticed the driver was slumped down and un-responsive. Morgenthaler then decided to pull in front of the van allowing the van to strike the back of his patrol car. As Morgenthaler applied his brakes he was able to slow the van to a complete stop at Coronado St and Chandler Blvd. just east of the busy Chandler Fashion Mall and the Loop 101. Morgenthaler approached the driver who was un-responsive and in need of medical attention. The driver was identified as Tyrone Santiago, 33, from Avondale. He was transported to a local area hospital for treatment.

Officer Morgenthaler is a 9½-year veteran with the Chandler Police Department. His quick thinking and actions potentially saved Santiago and others from further injury.  

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