Bicyclist killed by car in Glendale, suspect is Navajo Nation police officer

PHOENIX — A man riding a bicycle was killed early Friday after he was hit by a vehicle that jumped a curb on a Glendale street, police said.

The driver also struck an SUV and a police vehicle along the way. Witnesses told police that around midnight the driver clipped an SUV near 59th and Glendale avenues, then hit the cyclist.

Glendale Police Department Photo

The driver fled the scene. A block later at an intersection, the driver crashed into the rear of the police car.

Authorities said the 30-year-old suspect was taken to a hospital with injuries that weren’t life-threatening.

The Navajo Nation’s office of the president said later Friday that the suspect is a Navajo Nation police officer.

Kevin Hevel was taken into custody by Glendale police and booked on charges of manslaughter, felony endangerment, driving under the influence and failure to stay at the scene of an accident causing death.

Hevel has been a member of the Navajo Nation Police Department since 2007. He was attending police related training in Paradise Valley when the incident occurred.

“The fact that one of my Navajo Police Department officers was involved in this incident is very troubling and disappointing to me,” Navajo Nation Police Chief Phillip Francisco said. “The on and off duty conduct of police officers is extremely important because as law enforcement officers, we are entrusted with the safety of the public. I have always stressed that we hold ourselves to higher standards. My condolences and apologies go out to the victims in this incident.”

#Traffic accident 59Av/Glendale shutdown in all directions until around 7am. Please avoid area on morning commute. #DriveSafe

— Glendale Police (@GlendaleAZPD) September 22, 2017

The officer and a witness who had been standing near the accident were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

A partial reopening on 59th Avenue, which had been closed at 67th Avenue, allowed north-south traffic around 8:30 a.m. Glendale Avenue finally was reopened to east-west drivers shortly after 10 a.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Related

‘We know it’s gonna be close,’ Gov. Katie Hobbs says as likely Andy Biggs matchup loomsLive updates for Arizona’s 2026 primaries: Supervisor explains technical issueTechnical issues disrupt a small number of Maricopa County voters on Election DayElection changes could lead to quicker results in Maricopa County, Adrian Fontes says3 defendants sentenced to years in prison in Arizona meth trafficking caseMain roadway between Maricopa and metro Phoenix reopens after fatal incident