Police: Man Driving Stolen Truck Crashes, Injures Motorcycle Officer
Jul 15, 2019, 8:18 AM | Updated: 1:31 pm
SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah – A South Salt Lake police motorcycle officer who was running radar was hit by a stolen truck driven by a man who was under the influence, police said.
The crash happened Monday just before 7 a.m. at 2900 South and State Street.
According to a Facebook post from the South Salt Lake Police Department, a man who was using “illegal drugs” was driving a stolen vehicle when he drifted off the road. The truck struck a fire hydrant and a light pole before crashing into a wall.
“The pole that the suspect hit also deflected the vehicle away from Officer Jorgensen, sending it across the street where it crashed into a building, bringing it to a stop,” according to the Facebook post. “Ironically, the pole that deflected the vehicle had a David Romrell banner hanging on it!”
David Romrell was a South Salt Lake Police officer who was killed in the line of duty in November 2018.
Authorities said the motorcycle officer barely escaped serious injury. He had to jump off his motorcycle to avoid being hit, although he was struck by debris.
The driver of the truck was taken to the hospital in serious condition. His identity was not immediately known.
Officials closed State Street in the area during the investigation. All lanes were reopened shortly before 10 a.m.
