Posted on 05/01/2006 8:28:36 PM PDT by radar101
TEMPE, Ariz. — Rob Targosz, a Gilbert police officer, was struck by a speeding vehicle on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. He died seven hours later at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Hospital.
The driver of a 2005 Ford Mustang failed to stop for a red light and crashed into Targosz, who was on his way to work. Targosz was thrown from his departmental motorcycle and landed on the south side of the intersection of Price Road and Apache Blvd in Tempe, Ariz. The force of the impact caused his motorcycle to become embedded in the front of the Mustang, and both vehicles burst into flames.
According to Tempe Police Department reports, witnesses said both the driver and a passenger in the Ford Mustang emerged from the wreckage through the drivers’ door window. Both then fled on foot without rendering any aid to the critically injured officer.
The passenger in the Mustang, Ryan Moore, 20, returned to the scene later and turned himself into police. He was booked into the Tempe City Jail on a misdemeanor charge of being under 21 with alcohol in his system. Moore submitted to a breath test an hour after the accident, and it showed his blood alcohol content to be .122/.121. Moore was released from police custody at 1:20 a.m. Monday.
The driver of the vehicle was later identified as 20-year-old Tyler Fahlman. He was located by police at his apartment, and he later admitted that he was the driver of the Ford Mustang that hit Targosz. Fahlman was booked on Monday at 9 a.m. on charges of manslaughter and hit and run causing death. Fahlman also exhibited signs of alcohol intoxication during sobriety field tests, according to Tempe police Sgt. Dan Masters.
In the past four years, Fahlman has at least seven court cases involving driving infractions. Three of those cases involved drunken driving or underage consumption.
Officer Targosz, who was assigned to his department's DUI unit, had been a Gilbert officer for 12 years, and was named the Gilbert officer of the year in 2003. He was the first officer killed on duty in the Gilbert department’s 86-year history.
Targosz died one day before Arizona’s Peace Officer’s Memorial Service in Phoenix.
Information regarding funeral services for Targosz will be provided by the Gilbert Police Department.
Officer Rob Targosz, 37, (left) was killed Sunday after his departmental motorcycle was struck by a car. The driver, Tyler Gary Fahlman, 20, (right) who has a history of traffic and alcohol violations, was arrested after fleeing. Officer Targosz was on his way to work a DUI detail.
Of all the people you don't won't to kill while drunk driving, I'd say a cop is near the top of the list. They have the ability to make things seriously uncomfortable for you for quite some time...
Surprised it wasn't an illegal. A little of a reverse here...a mexican policeman killed by a drunk white man...
Actually, I thinkthe policeman was American.
You are right--the name is Eastern European.
An aside--Guess whose jail this guy is going to be in either until he is convicted or pleads guilty? Yes, Indeedy, Joe Arpaio is the right answer. He better get ready for a tent and 110 degrees.
Show some respect for Officer Targosz and his family. Commenting on race in this matter is of zero importance. Officer Targosz was a close friend and co-worker, an Officer was killed by a drunk driver, who had been allowed to drive the streets by a lazy prosecutor/s who continually dropped charges against the suspect.
Office Targosz was Italian...
Thank you for your response. As a member of Rob's family in the Chicago area, I appreciate you looking after his reputation as a friend and co-worker. He was very dedicated to his work and I hope more people remember that and follow his lead.
Thank you to the Chicago family. I knew the Targosz's. I would like to add a comment on how to help. Go to www.myhometownhelper.com and look for the project in Gilbert, AZ.
p.s.This IS an Italian-U.S. family
Thank You. I knoe and respect the Targosz's. I would like to offer a helping hand. See what can be done @ www.myhometownhelper.com.
---They ARE an Italian-U.S. family
correction....Polish
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