QUEEN CREEK, AZ — A Maricopa County Sheriff's Office deputy has been released from the hospital days after being hit by another vehicle while on a call.
Impairment and distraction are not being considered factors in the Queen Creek crash, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
In a press statement, MCSO confirmed the driver who struck the deputy was not cited or arrested after the crash.
Officials say the driver remained on scene following the incident and cooperated during the investigation.
54-year-old Deputy Gomez is a 10-year veteran of MCSO and is now home recovering with family after several days in the hospital.
"The MCSO family is incredibly thankful our Deputy is stable and on the path to recovery," Sheriff Paul Penzone said. "[...] We look forward to his full and complete recovery and appreciate the community's support."
The crash happened near Chandler Heights and Power Road around 7 p.m. on Wednesday when the deputy was on scene of a separate accident in the area. The deputy was hit by a vehicle during the investigation.
Gomez was transported to Chandler Regional Medical Center for multiple, potentially life-threatening injuries. He is, however, now recovering at home.
At this time, MCSO has not released the name of the driver who struck the deputy.
One of our deputies was badly injured this evening. He was hit by a car while investigating an accident in Queen Creek and was transported to the hospital in serious condition. Please be careful when you see flashing lights and keep him and his family in your thoughts tonight.
— MC Sheriff's Office (@mcsoaz) January 10, 2019
This comes just one day after a Salt River police officer was hit and killed along the Loop 101 while at a traffic stop. The driver in that case has been arrested and faces several charges.
