Officer Accused Of Running Over Woman In Parking Lot Has History Of Vehicle-Related Incidents
Mar 22, 2019, 3:00 PM | Updated: 4:55 pm
MILCREEK, Utah – An officer accused of running over a woman lying in a parking lot on March 6 has a history of driving issues, according to records obtained through a public records request.
UPD officer Megan Franklin, previously known as Megan Clark, is accused of hitting Cindreia Simone Europe while conducting a welfare check after someone called authorities to report a person was lying on the ground in the area. Europe was pronounced dead on the scene, though it’s unclear if she was dead before the officer possibly hit her.
Authorities are waiting on the medical examiner’s report to determine the official cause of death.
Officials said Franklin transferred from the West Valley City Police Department to Unified Police in late 2018. A records request from WVCPD turned up a 35-page report outlining a history of reckless driving dating back at least eight years.
The report, in which she’s referred to as Megan Clark, shows a history of vehicle-related issues. According to the document:
- April 2010: Franklin struck a rock in the roadway as she made a U-turn;
- July 2010: Franklin struck another vehicle on the roadway while making a U-turn;
- August 2013: Franklin hit a construction barrel, which caused damage to the police vehicle;
- November 2014: Franklin backed into a light pole;
- December 2014: Franklin hit a concrete curb;
- May 2017: Franklin was involved in a single-vehicle crash.
The May 2017 incident was determined to be her fault and avoidable.
According to the report, she was also reported for speeding, going up to 90 miles per hour, weaving in and out of traffic and crossing lanes in an unsafe manner on multiple occasions.
The document also states that Franklin failed to show up for court dates.
Officials with UPD said it would have been up to the hiring board to look at the officer’s history.
Unified Police declined to comment on the March 2019 incident. The investigation into the auto-pedestrian crash is being handled by the Salt Lake Police Department.
