A Phoenix police officer is lucky to be alive after his vehicle was destroyed by an alleged drunk driver on New Year's Day. Officer Ch...
A Phoenix police officer is lucky to be alive after his vehicle was destroyed by an alleged drunk driver on New Year's Day.
Officer Chase McCance was in his police SUV when he spotted a white pickup truck driving the wrong way - and headed right toward him - around 6am on January 1.
With no time to get out of the way, the vehicles collided head-on in the Paradise Valley neighborhood.
AZCentral reports McCance was taken to a hospital, where he's in serious condition, though his injuries are not expected to be life-threatening.
This is what Chase McCance's police vehicle looked like after a head-on wreck in Phoenix
McCance was hospitalized with serious injuries, although he is expected to survive
12News reports McCance suffered injuries to his hip, shoulder, ribs, and jaw, among other areas.
He remains in the hospital almost a week after the crash.
Images of his police vehicle suggest his fate could've been much worse, with the entire front half of the vehicle completely mangled and crumpled.
Dylan Johnson, 22, the driver of the vehicle that hit the Phoenix PD vehicle, was charged with aggravated assault and DUI. He also suffered minor injuries in the wreck.
He reportedly admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana prior to the crash.
The McCance family, meanwhile, is grateful for the support it's received from the community in the wake of the horrific crash.
'We would like to thank our friends, family and our Phoenix PD family for all of the love, support, donations and care we have received,' the McCance family said. 'Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he has a long road to recovery.'
McCance has a wife and a son, with another child on the way.
'Please remember this next time you drink and do not drive,' the McCance family said. 'It could be someone’s husband, father and son that you take away from them.'
McCance is a one-year veteran of the Phoenix PD with a son and another child on the way
Dylan Johnson, 22, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and DUI
McCance has been an employee of the Phoenix Police Department for more than a year.
The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association has begun the task of raising money to support the McCance clan.
'Very humble officer, down to earth, shows up to work,' Sgt. Tu Phan said to 12News about McCance. 'My heart just dropped.'
KTAR reports December DUI arrests in Phoenix dropped from 2,184 in 2019 to 1,729 in 2020, although fewer people have been on the road during the coronavirus.
Of the arrests made this December, 269 were for aggravated DUI, while 378 were for extreme DUI, which is when the BAC is 0.15 or higher.
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