A woman is facing felony charges following a high-speed police chase in Phoenix, Arizona, that ended Saturday evening with a crash involving multiple vehicles. The incident occurred after Esmeralda Galindo-Monje allegedly rammed her pickup truck into a police squad car and fled.
The Pursuit and Crash
The chase culminated at the intersection of 67th Avenue and Lower Buckeye, where Galindo-Monje ran a red light and collided with three other vehicles, causing her truck to flip over. One woman remains hospitalized with serious injuries as a result of the crash. Other adults and two children involved sustained injuries but have since been released.
Galindo-Monje is currently facing charges of aggravated assault, unlawful flight from law enforcement, and aggravated DUI, according to court records.
Balancing Risk in Pursuit Policies
The incident raises questions about the difficult decisions officers face when deciding whether to pursue a fleeing vehicle. Dr. Roy Taylor, a police procedure expert with over 30 years of experience, explained that most agencies employ a “balancing test.”
“It’s up to each and every agency to determine how much risk they’re willing to accept in allowing their officers to pursue fleeing vehicles,” Taylor said. He added that the risk of pursuit must be weighed against the potential danger of allowing a driver to remain on the run.
Taylor analyzed Saturday’s pursuit and stated that a driver willing to intentionally crash into a police vehicle “means that they’re a threat to society.”
A Recent Deadly Outcome
This incident comes just days after another incident on Thursday night, where a suspected DUI driver fled a traffic stop. In that case, Phoenix police opted not to pursue, instead relaying the driver’s information to other units and utilizing an overhead helicopter. Minutes later, the driver crossed into oncoming traffic and caused a fatal crash.
“If the driver pulls away, the officer chases him and the same thing happens, then what’s going to happen to the police department? What good did it do to chase him?” Taylor questioned.
Taylor noted that most people injured in police chases are innocent bystanders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges is Esmeralda Galindo-Monje facing?
Esmeralda Galindo-Monje is facing charges of aggravated assault, unlawful flight from law enforcement, and aggravated DUI, according to court records.
What factors do police consider when deciding whether to pursue a fleeing vehicle?
According to Dr. Roy Taylor, most agencies use a balancing test, weighing the risk of pursuit against the risk of allowing the driver to remain on the run.
What happened in the other incident this week involving a fleeing driver?
On Thursday night, a suspected DUI driver fled a traffic stop, but police did not pursue. The driver subsequently crashed into another vehicle, resulting in a fatality.
Given the inherent risks involved in both pursuing and allowing a fleeing vehicle to continue, how should law enforcement agencies prioritize public safety in these high-pressure situations?
