KINGMAN – Kingman police report the death of an off-duty DPS officer who was fighting with another man when he was struck by a vehicle Wednesday. The victim is identified as Leo Becenti Jr., 54.
Kingman Police Chief Rusty Cooper said officers learned a man had been hit by a vehicle while responding to a 10:10 p.m. report of a disturbance in the 1900 block of Dawes Ave. He said arriving officers and medical personnel treated Becenti before he was transported to Kingman Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Cooper said Becenti had been involved in an altercation with a man who lived in the neighborhood when he fell into the street and was struck by an oncoming vehicle driven by a 54-year-old Kingman woman. He said why Becenti was in the neighborhood and circumstances surrounding the fight are the focus of ongoing investigation.
DPS confirmed Becenti was a sergeant with 22 years with the agency, preceded by 2 years with the Kingman police department.
Dave Hawkins
