Chandler police say one of their department's 9-1-1 dispatchers was killed by a suspected impaired driver on Sunday.
The woman has been identified as 58-year-old Cathy Coppes.
Our Chandler family suffered a tragic and senseless loss yesterday when our beloved emergency #911 call taker, Cathy Coppes, was killed by a suspected impaired driver. Please, PLEASE don’t drink and drive!! @ChandlerPolice @cityofchandler pic.twitter.com/GwpX9RJvmn
— Sean Duggan (@Chief_Duggan) June 11, 2018
According to police, the crash happened just after 10:30 a.m. on US-89 near milepost 432, approximately 20 miles north of Flagstaff.
Police say Coppes was operating a motorcycle and traveling southbound when a northbound vehicle, a Ford pickup truck, crossed the center line and struck her head on.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Coppes started her career with the Chandler Police Department in April 2002. She is survived by her husband, police said.
"She was a valued member of the Communications Staff and was instrumental in training and developing new employees," police said in a news release.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash, a 42-year-old man, was taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
He was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Troopers say Coppes was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
The investigation of the crash remains ongoing, and impairment has not been ruled out, according to DPS.
