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THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
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This Week
SPORTS ......... 17 Goodyear golfer named All-American
FEATURES ..... 19 AZ Big Train Operators plan open houses
YOUTH .......... 25 Girl, 12, donates hundreds of items to foster kids
OPINION ...............12 BUSINESS.............. 15 SPORTS ..................17 FEATURES ..............19 YOUTH ..................25 OBITUARIES ...........27 CLASSIFIEDS ..........28 SOUTH
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December 1, 2021
The Voice of the West Valley for 36 years
Tolleson man facing possible death penalty BY KEN SAIN
West Valley View Staff Writer
T
he Maricopa County Attorney’s Office plans to pursue the death penalty against the man accused of killing a Chandler police officer. Jonathon Altland of Tolleson faces 32 charges for the events that took place on April 29 that resulted in the death of 50-year-old Chandler Police Officer Christopher Farrar and severe injuries for Gilbert Police Officer Rico Aranda. County officials are citing prior convictions as one of the aggravating factors for seeking the death penalty, including aggravated assault and burglary in the first degree. Another aggravating factor is the victim was a peace officer and the suspect either knew, or should have known, he was one performing his official duties. Prosecutors say the 25-year-old Altland led police on a chase that started in Eloy and ended at a Chandler car dealership the night of April 29.
In addition to the charge of first-degree murder, he faces 20 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful flight from law enforcement, endangerment, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree burglary, and four counts of disorderly conduct. According to court records, Pinal County sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop Altland for speeding near Eloy in the spring. They soon learned the yellow truck he was driving had been reported stolen. Altland was headed north on State Route 87 toward Chandler. He began to pull over, but then allegedly fired at the deputies before fleeing. He drove at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour and at one point crashed through a gate at Chandler Municipal Airport, driving onto the runway. Police continued to pursue him as he drove the wrong way on surface streets. He finally
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Suspect Jonathon Atland faces 32 charges for the events that took place April 29. (Photo courtesy of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office)
Abrazo West Campus welcomes new CEO BY LAUREN SERRATO
West Valley View Staff Writer
H
ealth care executive Hans Driessnack has been selected as the new chief executive officer of Abrazo West Campus. Driessnack, who brings experience in operational leadership with acute care hospitals and ambulatory services, joined Abrazo West in November. Abrazo West Campus, located at 13677 W.
McDowell Road, is a Level I Trauma Center and Primary Plus Stroke Center, with orthopedics, spine, stroke, cardiology, general surgery and maternity. It is also a teaching hospital, with doctors from Abrazo’s emergency medicine, general surgery and internal medicine residency programs completing rotations at Abrazo West. “I am pleased that Hans has accepted the position of chief executive officer for Abra-
zo West Campus,” said Brian Elisco, Abrazo Health market chief executive officer. “He is known as a servant leader with a focus on empowering staff for excellence, and we look forward to his leadership of Abrazo West Campus as it continues its growth in providing advanced medical care for the Southwest Valley community.”
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