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The Maricopa County medical examiner identified Raul Silva Corona as the wrong-way driver who hit Mesa Police Officer Brandon Mendoza early yesterday morning, killing both of them.
People had reported to police that a driver was going the wrong-way on Loop 101 near Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in North Scottsdale, and Corona managed to drive the wrong way about 30 miles — including the entire length of State Route 51 — before fatally colliding with Mendoza.
See also:
–Mesa Police Officer Killed by Wrong-Way DriverMendoza wasn’t even on-duty at the time. He had just finished his shift, and was driving his personal vehicle when Corona hit him.
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The Arizona Department of Public Safety had an officer positioned at south end of the 51, but Corona managed to swerve his SUV around him. Corona made it onto the wrong side of Interstate 10, and then onto the HOV ramp that connects with U.S. 60 — which is where Corona hit Mendoza, head-on.
Mendoza, 32, had been with the police department since 2001.
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