A Phoenix police officer was one of two people who died in a fatal crash at the Cave Creek Road and Greenway Parkway intersection on Monday night.
The officer was identified as 27-year-old Ginarro New, according to police officials.
The driver of the other vehicle was later identified as 31-year-old Christopher Castro, according to a spokesperson for Phoenix police.
New was traveling south on Cave Creek Road in a marked police vehicle at about 10:33 p.m. when he entered the intersection at Greenway Parkway, according to police spokesperson Sgt. Ann Justus.
His vehicle was struck when Castro ran a red light at the intersection headed east, Justus said.
Justus said the force of the crash sent New's vehicle through a block wall and into a parking lot on the southeast corner of the intersection. The vehicle came to rest on its side.
The Phoenix Fire Department removed New from the vehicle, and he was taken to a hospital, Justus said.
New was pronounced dead at the hospital after succumbing to his injuries. Castro died at the crash location, Justus said.
According to police, preliminary information indicated the speed of the other vehicle was a contributing factor. It was later identified that Castro was also suspected to have been impaired, police said.
The intersection of Cave Creek Road at Greenway Parkway was closed in all directions as police investigated the crash, the Maricopa County Department of Transportation tweeted shortly after 7:30 a.m.
New worked for the Phoenix Police Department since 2019 and was assigned to the Black Mountain Precinct.
Gov. Doug Ducey paid his respects to New and his family on Twitter, writing "Officer New made safe communities his top priority, and we are grateful for his bravery and dedication to protecting others."
According to Ducey, flags in every state building will be lowered to half-staff in honor of New’s life and service.
In a statement on Twitter, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said, "I join the people of Phoenix in expressing my sadness for Officer New's family, loved ones, and his colleagues at the Phoenix Police Department. We will remember his dedication and express our deep gratitude for his service to our community. The whole city grieves today."
Officer New is survived by his wife, Kristen, his mother, Misty, his brother Marcas, and his grandmother Susan, Phoenix police tweeted.
Police have not released any additional information about the incident at this time.
The Phoenix Police Foundation said it is accepting donations at https://phoenixpolicefoundation.org and 100% will go to New's family.
The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association will host a fundraiser BBQ for the New family on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at its building at 1102 W. Adams St. in downtown Phoenix. Donations will be accepted at the event or at pleacharities.org/donate.
Less than two weeks ago another Arizona officer was killed in a crash. Nogales police Officer Jeremy Brinton died in May from injuries he sustained after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 19 in Nogales.
