SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A former detective has resigned from the Scottsdale Police Department after he allegedly drove while impaired and caused a traffic collision.
Michael Lanouar resigned from the agency on March 20 after his involvement in a crash last November, the police department said Monday.
Criminal charges were filed against Lanouar earlier this year, accusing him of endangerment and aggravated assault for the crash near Pima and Indian School roads.
The people who were reportedly hit by Lanouar are Jessica and Dan Stites. They were in Scottsdale for a business conference and to watch some fall league baseball games.
They had just left one of those games and were returning to a hotel when they said the crash happened.
“We were in so much pain,” Jessica said.
Dan said the collision was so severe his Apple Watch called 911 moments after the crash.
They also said Lanouar approached their vehicle and identified himself as a police officer. They claim he told them he was rear-ended by a driver who took off.
“And I was like, ‘Really?’" Jessica said. "There was obviously nothing wrong with the back of his car.”
Both were taken to the hospital, and Dan was told his foot was fractured from the crash.
Lanouar was off-duty and allegedly driving his assigned car when the crash occurred. He was initially demoted from detective to detention officer before his resignation.
The Stites have recently filed a notice of claim seeking damages from the city.
John Kelly, a lawyer representing the victims, said the injured parties were visiting Scottsdale from out of state.
"This detective should be there to protect the community and not be the danger to the community," Kelly told 12News.
Lanouar's criminal charges remain pending in court.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Ex detective de Scottsdale renuncia tras choque, se encontraba intoxicado
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