VIDEO: Driver Rams 3 Phoenix Officers with Car
Three Phoenix police officers are recovering after a car reportedly deliberately plowed into them at a QuikTrip near 25th Avenue and Camelback Road early Tuesday morning, reports KPHO/KTVK.
In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Phoenix police chief Joe Yahner had strong words about the direct assault on his officers.
"They were victims of an unprovoked, violent, intentional attack," he said. "These officers could have easily been killed, and I thank God we're not planning three funerals right now."
Investigators said the officers were standing in the parking lot around 2 a.m. when the male driver hit them, struck a police car, and crashed through the front of the store.
Two officers were transported to a hospital with serious injuries but are expected to be OK. The third officer was able to jump out of the way but sustained some injuries during a struggle with the driver during the arrest.
A sergeant with 18 years of experience suffered a broken leg. An officer with eight years of experience suffered a minor injury. And an officer with just one day of training suffered a head injury.
The driver of the car was also taken to a hospital. He has been identified as Marc Laquon Payne. Chief Yahner says Payne, 44, will face three charges of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of aggravated assault.