Traffic

Actions

Officer killed in red-light running crash at north Phoenix intersection

Another driver was also killed in the crash
Phoenix Police Officer Ginarro New
Phoenix Officer Ginarro New killed in crash
Poster image (7).jpg
officer killed greenway and cave creek
Officer Ginarro New
officer ginarro new
Posted
and last updated

PHOENIX — A Phoenix Police Department officer was one of two people killed when a driver ran a red light Monday night in north Phoenix.

A police spokesperson said the crash happened around 10:30 p.m. Monday near Cave Creek Road and Greenway Parkway.

Witnesses reportedly saw an eastbound vehicle running a red light while the police cruiser was going southbound through the intersection on a green light.

The driver of the eastbound vehicle, 31-year old Christopher Castro, was pronounced dead at the scene.

RELATED: Arizona has the most red-light running crashes in the country, AAA data shows

The officer had to be extricated from his vehicle before he was taken to the hospital where he died.

Video from the scene showed extensive damage to the vehicles involved and debris scattered along the roadway.

Police say speed and impairment are believed to be contributing factors in the crash.

Officers escort body of officer killed in crash to medical examiner

A procession was held early Tuesday morning as fellow officers escorted the fallen officer from the hospital to the medical examiner's office in downtown Phoenix.

Police said the officer who was killed, identified as Ginarro New, was 27 years old. He leaves behind a wife, mother, brother, and grandmother, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said early Tuesday morning.

officer ginarro new

Officer New had been with the department since July 2019 and had recently started his shift when the crash occurred.

'TERRIBLE LOSS' FOR DEPARTMENT

Chief Williams expressed gratitude for the doctors and emergency crews who tirelessly tried to save New's life.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego also released the following statement: "On behalf of the City of Phoenix, we thank Officer New for his service and commitment to keeping us safe. We hold his family in our hearts, and will keep his memory in our minds. I invite our community to thank his Phoenix Police colleagues who face these kinds of dangers daily. Our thoughts are with them today, as are our condolences for this terrible loss. Deep gratitude also goes to the Phoenix Fire Department and Honor Health for their heroic efforts to save Officer New’s life."

Governor Doug Ducey ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff for the day in honor of Officer New.

HOW TO HELP

The 100 Club of Arizona, the Phoenix Police Foundation and the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) have set up fundraisers to help the officer's family.

If you would like to help, you can donate online or by calling 602-485-0100.

Poster image (8).jpg

There is also a BBQ scheduled for Thursday, June 3 from 10 a.m. - 10p.m.

Officer New fundraiser BBQ

DEADLY ROADWAYS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

The deadly crash involving Officer New was not the first traffic incident to claim the life of an Arizona officer this year.

Just over a month ago, another Valley officer was killed by a suspect during a police pursuit.That officer, Christopher Farrar, was with the Chandler Police Department.

Nogales Police Officer Jeremy Brinton was hit and killed while doing traffic control in late May.

In January, Arizona State University Police Officer Joseph Montgomery was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Tempe.