Police release details in hit-and-run that killed Ohio officer

By Police1 Staff

MENTOR, Ohio — Police have released more details about the hit-and-run that killed an Ohio officer over the weekend.

On Monday, officials identified the fallen officer as 41-year-old Officer Mathew Mazany, a 14-year veteran of the Mentor Police Department, WKYC reported. Mazany was assisting with a traffic stop on Sunday morning when he was struck by another driver who fled the scene. The officer was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police searched for a dark-colored Jeep Wrangler, which they later found rammed into a gate at a marina. Chief Kevin Knight said a citizen called police with a tip after seeing the Jeep at the marina.

Authorities identified the driver who struck Mazany as 24-year-old Brian Anthony, who was arrested using Mazany’s handcuffs. Anthony is charged with leaving the scene of a crash and tampering with evidence. Additional charges are pending the result of toxicology tests.

Anthony was arraigned in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty. His bond was also denied.

According to Knight, Anthony said he didn’t stop after the crash because he wasn’t sure he hit anything. Prosecutors said Anthony failed to report the crash and went to a friend’s house following the incident.

Mazany leaves behind a wife of 12 years and a son.