Police: Sheriff’s deputy struck, killed student on way to SWAT standoff
Mar 18, 2021, 5:54 PM | Updated: Nov 3, 2023, 4:41 pm
BYU student Joseph Spenser was killed in a collision with a speeding, unmarked vehicle driven by a Utah County deputy. (Provo Police Department)
(Provo Police Department)
PROVO, Utah – The driver of a truck that hit and killed a BYU student has been identified as a deputy with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office who was traveling to a SWAT situation in Pleasant Grove.
Officials with the Provo Police Department said their Traffic Accident Investigation Team is working with the Officer Involved Critical Incident Team to investigate the incident.
Joseph Spencer, a 22-year-old BYU student, was killed in the crash as he pulled out of a Taco Bell parking lot near 400 North and 900 East on Tuesday.
Police said Spencer’s car was struck by a black pickup truck that was being driven by the deputy, who is a member of the SWAT team.
UCSO Sgt. Spencer Cannon said the deputy was traveling to the SWAT standoff in Pleasant Grove in his personal vehicle.
The name of the deputy, who was placed on administrative leave, has not been released.
The Pleasant Grove standoff started when a man barricaded himself inside a home after firing a rifle outside and pointing it at police.
He was taken into custody after nearly six hours. Court records said the man has a history of mental illness.
He was booked into the Utah County Jail on charges of attempted aggravated murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and illegal discharge of weapons.
