El Paso police narcotics detective killed in Arizona traffic crash blamed on drunk driver
BYLAS, Arizona -- An El Paso police narcotics detective and retired sergeant major in the Texas Army National Guard was killed in a weekend traffic crash in eastern Arizona that authorities blamed on a drunk driver.
51-year-old Richard Allbee died when his pickup truck was struck head-on by another pickup that crossed the center line on U.S. 70 near Bylas on Sunday evening.
Allbee's wife, 58-year-old Norma Allbee, was riding with him in the pickup and was flown to Banner-University Medical Center in Tucson, where relatives told ABC-7 that she remained in critical condition on Monday.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said "alcohol impairment" was believed to be a key factor in the deadly collision. Authorities identified the other pickup driver as 50-year-old John Savage, who also remained hospitalized, but they did not indicate what charges he might face.
Sgt. Robert Gomez, an El Paso police spokesman, said he knew Allbee well and called him "a very good person" who would be greatly missed.
The 3rd Battalion of the 133rd Field Artillery posted an online statement saying it was "saddened to hear of the tragic death... The Gunslingers Battalion Command Team, staff and Soldiers offer their heartfelt condolences to his family and friends," the statement said.
There were no immediate details available on funeral services.
(Editor's note: The Gila Herald newspaper in Arizona contributed to this report.)
Very sad, but this will keep happening as long as juries and judges keep setting drunk drivers free to drink & drive again.
K1DPR…….Bla Bla Bla
K1DPR…….Bla Bla Bla . What about the drunk officers who have done the same? Oh no, we don’t wanna talk about that.
It’s the bigot and hater. Hates the police. Get a life moron.
Stop using names of people you hate as your profile name
STFU moron. I hate you. You know it’s you. Alberto the section 8 welfare queen. BTW – you are an idiot. Easy to rope a dope.
Every LEO in El Paso County has a sticky note on their dashboard, with your name on it.
Right Fero..They Just ‘Love A Man In Uniform’ typically of those covert white- collar racists.
Hating trolls shut the hell up and keep your hate off this fellow officer’s tragic death. Show some respect.
Madmike get all those sticky notes and you know what to do with them. Where the sun don’t shine. Isn’t that profiling? Violation of freedom of speech? Lol. I tell ya, you were stupid when on the workforce and still are as a retiree.
MAdmike- Get versed with retaliation too.
Go jump off a cliff moron.
I’m sure local cops are going to listened to garbage mouth madmike.
Shut up you lying dog faced pony soldier. BTW – Local cops don’t like you moron.