Officer Buckner Died Responding to Emergency Call
Tucson police have announced charges against 20-year-old Nicholas William Skitzki in connection with a car crash that killed Officer Adam Buckner in March.
Misdemeanor Charge and Traffic Infractions
Skitzki is facing a misdemeanor charge of death by a moving violation. Additionally, he has been cited for two civil traffic violations: failing to yield while turning left and failing to yield to an authorized emergency vehicle.
Police released Skitzki with a citation on April 24th. His arraignment is scheduled for May 7th in Tucson City Court. Efforts to reach Skitzki for comment were unsuccessful, and court records do not yet indicate if he has legal representation.
Officer Buckner Honored After Tragic Death
Officer Adam Buckner, 31, died from injuries sustained in the March 31st crash. Police reported that Buckner was responding to an emergency call with his lights and sirens activated when his patrol car collided with a vehicle turning at an intersection near the University of Arizona campus. Buckner had the right of way.
The force of the impact sent Buckner’s vehicle into a traffic signal pole. He was transported to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Buckner’s death marked a somber moment for the Tucson Police Department. He was the ninth officer in the department’s history to die in the line of duty.
A Dedicated Law Enforcement Officer
Officer Buckner joined the Tucson Police Department in 2021 and served as the lead officer for the city’s midtown district. Prior to joining Tucson PD, Buckner began his law enforcement career with the New Orleans Police Department in 2017, where he eventually worked as a detective.
