SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 1, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A Salt Lake City police officer was injured in a traffic accident Saturday night while assisting other officers who were engaged in a foot pursuit near 500 South 200 West.
An SLCPD calls for service log indicates the crash was first reported at 7:48 p.m., about 20 minutes after officers attempted to contact a group of people near the old Motel 6 in downtown.
According to a statement provided to Gephardt Daily by Salt Lake City PD PR Unit, the “officer was driving in the area” when “one of the three suspects suddenly ran out into traffic and was nearly hit by the officer and another vehicle.
“The officer tried to avoid hitting the suspect, tried to stop the vehicle, and stop the suspect but struck another vehicle on 500 South,” SLCPD statement said.
“The officer received minor injuries,” and “both vehicles were towed from the scene.”
There was no mention of any other injuries.
At the time the statement was released, the SLCPD PR Unit said they did not “have specifics on what the stop was over but that area has been a crime focus area for us so we have a steady presence there looking to disrupt crime.”
The PR Unit statement stressed there was no vehicle pursuit, and they were “not aware that any of the suspects were caught.”
A Gephardt Daily photographer was on the scene as the foot pursuit unfolded and saw one person being detained by a member of the Salt Lake City PD Gang Unit.
The Utah Highway Patrol is conducting the investigation into the traffic investigation.
“Reports are yet to be finalized,” the SLCPD PR statement said.
