PHOENIX — An anonymous tip led to the arrest of a woman in connection with Monday's hit-and-run that left a Phoenix police officer hospitalized.
Phoenix police announced Tuesday that 52-year-old Elizabeth Eaton was taken into custody after a tip led officials to her home where the vehicle believed to have been driven in the crash was found.
🚨ARREST MADE🚨
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) December 28, 2021
52yo Elizabeth Eaton has been arrested after #PPDVCU detectives worked diligently to develop probable cause for her arrest. She is accused of leaving the scene of a serious injury collision that left our motor officer injured lying in the road yesterday. pic.twitter.com/RRG6XWoih2
At about 12:30 a.m. Monday, a Phoenix motorcycle officer was hit while traveling eastbound on Bethany Home Road at 26th Avenue.
Surveillance video: Viewer discretion advised
In surveillance video obtained by ABC15, a dark-colored van can be seen making a left turn in front of the motorcycle officer, causing a crash. The officer was then thrown into the air, landing on the ground.
The driver, identified by police as Eaton, did not stop and left the scene.
“Watching any human fly through the air and lie there while someone can just drive away that’s what really struck me,” said Phoenix Police Sgt. Ann Justus.
The officer was taken to a hospital where he required surgery for a leg injury. He is said to be recovering.
Phoenix police officials say Eaton was located at about 11:30 p.m. Monday in the area of 18th Avenue and Glendale.
One of Eaton’s neighbors told us off-camera that they saw when police pulled up to her home. They said police lights were on, but their sirens were off.
“And then along the alley they had a tow truck that was actually taking the vehicle away,” said another one of Eaton’s neighbors who did not want to be identified.
Court documents show that when an officer asked Eaton her name, she said “you should have seen how fast he, the police officer, was going.”
The documents also state Eaton let them know she planned on turning herself in the next day.
“We’ll include a speed evaluation on both parties,” said Sgt. Justus.
She has been booked at the Maricopa County Jail. She is being held on a $100,000 bond.
According to court records, Eaton had a previous DUI conviction in 2002, but drugs and alcohol were not a factor in this collision.
