MESA, AZ — Three law enforcement officials were struck by a vehicle in Mesa on Thursday morning.
According to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, three Mesa police officers and three MCSO deputies were discussing a joint investigation at the Circle K near Ellsworth and Broadway roads around 4:15 a.m.
While the officials were in the parking lot at the convenience store, a white 1996 Buick heading north on Ellsworth Road driven by 37-year-old Carlos Diaz, turned into the Circle K parking lot at a high rate of stopped and accelerated, striking the rear of one of the Mesa patrol vehicles and two MCSO deputies and one Mesa officer.
The uninjured officers and deputy radioed for assistance and gave commands for Diaz to get out of his vehicle at gunpoint. Diaz reportedly did not respond to commands, forcing Mesa officers to break the window to his car and pull him out and place him into handcuffs.
MCSO says Diaz was driving on a suspended license, failed a field sobriety test, and admitted to using illegal drugs.
Diaz claimed that he didn't hit them on purpose, and the accelerator may have "gotten lodged" from his loose sandal.
Diaz was booked into jail and is facing multiple charges including six counts of endangerment, aggravated DUI, and criminal damage.
The officer and two deputies were taken to the hospital for various injuries and have been released.
