Peoria: Autopsy Shows Veteran DPS Trooper Kelly Sullivan Was Drunk in Fatal Motorcycle Crash

The Numbers Behind the Crash

Maricopa County medical examiner records show Trooper Kelly James Sullivan had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.182 when he died in a solo motorcycle crash in Peoria. That level is more than twice the legal driving limit of 0.08.

Sullivan, 53, was an off-duty Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper at the time of the crash. He died around 9 p.m. on April 26 near the intersection of Loop 303 and Lake Pleasant Parkway, according to the Peoria Police Department.

What the Medical Examiner Found

The autopsy and toxicology reports came from the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner. The records show Sullivan struck a curb along the side of the road and was ejected from his motorcycle despite wearing a helmet.

First responders attempted to revive him at the scene but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead there.

Medical Examiner Eric Hirsch attributed Sullivan's death to severe injuries from the crash. The autopsy also revealed advanced heart disease. Hirsch noted that a medical event just before the crash could not be entirely ruled out, according to the medical examiner's timeline.

A 25-Year Veteran

Sullivan was a 25-year veteran of Arizona DPS. He spent more than three decades in public service. At the time of his death, he was assigned to the Metro West District as a motor officer and mentor.

"Colleagues knew him as a steady presence," Arizona DPS wrote in a statement following the crash. "He shaped the careers of countless troopers and was recognized across the Department for his integrity and unmatched work ethic."

DPS leadership publicly remembered Sullivan as a "trusted teammate" and a dedicated "cop's cop."

What Police Said at the Time

Investigators with the Peoria Police Department noted at the time that Sullivan was off-duty and was not traveling to or from work when the crash occurred. No other vehicles were involved.

The information in this story comes from the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Peoria Police Department.