A crash took the life of a local cyclist early Sunday morning. Investigators say the evidence from two separate crash reports led them to the arrest of a Guam Police Department officer.

Around 3am on November 30, officers from GPD's Tumon Precinct responded to an auto-bicycle crash on Route 14 near Hornet Sporting Goods. 30-year-old John Carlos Daniel Yangco Haas was riding his bike when he was hit by an “orange-colored” Ford F-150 pickup truck, with the driver fleeing the scene.

Haas was then taken to the Guam Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:45am. Chief medical examiner Dr. Kenny Su confirmed he died from blunt force trauma. Officers immediately were advised to be on the lookout for the truck.

Later that morning, just before 11am, Dededo Precinct officers were called to a separate crash on Route 1 by Batula Road – also involving an orange F-150 – driven by off-duty GPD officer Derrick Atan. Atan claimed he swerved off the road to avoid another car and hit a utility pole.

But officers noted the damage to Atan’s truck didn’t match the scene – but did match the vehicle description from the earlier fatal crash. Highway Patrol was notified, and Atan was brought in for questioning that afternoon. 

His vehicle was impounded, and after reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing new eyewitnesses, investigators determined the damage was inconsistent with hitting a pole and linked Atan’s truck to the deadly hit-and-run. They also found he had been driving under the influence of alcohol and was in possession of an unregistered firearm.

Chief of Police Stephen Ignacio stated Atan was arrested on 19 charges, including vehicular homicide while impaired, negligent homicide, leaving the scene and failing to render aid, falsifying evidence, and possession of an unregistered firearm. “Upon my initial notification that a police officer may have been involved with this fatal car crash, I immediately placed the officer on administrative leave and he’s been taken off his duties," the chief confirmed. "Officer Atan will now be booked and confined and the investigation will continue.”

Chief Ignacio calls the case tragic on all fronts – the loss of an innocent life, and a police officer now accused of causing it. He urges the public to always use a designated driver, especially as we celebrate the holidays.

Haas’ family has been notified, and the case is now with the Attorney General’s Office.