Wrong-Way Driver Who Killed Officer Was Drunk

Published: Friday, May 16, 2014 - 2:41pm

The Department of Public Safety says lab tests have confirmed the wrong-way driver who killed a Mesa police officer early Monday morning was drunk.  Spokesman Carrick Cook says 42-year-old Raul Corona had a blood alcohol level of .238, nearly three times the legal limit for driving of .08.

Cook says Corona’s faculties would have been extremely impaired at the time he hit Officer Brandon Mendoza’s vehicle, killing both of them.

“Their vision is drastically impaired, their cognitive ability or their ability to process signs on the road, other vehicles on the road are dramatically impaired,” Cook said.

Funeral services for the 32-year-old Mendoza were held Friday morning at All Saints Catholic Church in Mesa.