UHP trooper falls from overpass trying to set up spike strip, suspect in custody
This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post with more information as it becomes available.
UPDATE, 3:17 p.m.: A UHP trooper is recovering from serious injuries after falling from an overpass while assisting the Salt Lake City Police Department search for a suspect connected to a drug investigation.
Police said the trooper’s condition is serious, but stable. At this point, no further information about the trooper is available.
The investigation reportedly started just after 10 a.m. this morning, when SLCPD tried to stop an SUV near 900 West North Temple Street. The driver, identified as Sammy Michael Swickey, immediately sped off, and police said they did not pursue him.
At 10:10 a.m., police said a description of his SUV was broadcast to surrounding law enforcement agencies, and at 10:23 a.m., an SLCPD officer spotted what he believed to be Swickey’s car.
That officer attempted to stop him, but Swickey drove off again, police said. In the process of driving away, Swickey reportedly hit the officer’s patrol car, causing damage. This crash did not injure the officer or his K-9.
As Swickey drove northbound on 7200 West, UHP set up tire deflation devices, however during the spike deployment, a trooper fell off the bridge onto a dirt road below, police said.
Officers on-scene immediately performed medical aid, and the injured officer was transported to the hospital in serious condition by a Department of Public Safety helicopter, police said.
With the help from DPS, SLCPD took Swickey into custody and booked him into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. He was arrested for the offenses of aggravated assault against a public safety officer, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of felony fleeing.
ORIGINAL STORY: SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A trooper with the Utah Highway Patrol has reportedly been seriously injured and transported to the hospital.
Details on the incident are extremely limited, however, ABC4 has confirmed the crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. near I-80 and 7200 West. The trooper was taken to Intermountain Hospital in serious condition.
UHP Sgt. Cameron Roden told reporters the officer was working to lay down spike strips to stop a suspect vehicle when he fell from an overpass onto a surface street below. It is unclear if the trooper was struck by the fleeing suspect or what caused him to be knocked off the overpass.
Roden confirmed the trooper was flown to the hospital but he is alert and communicating.
The suspect in question was later located at a local hotel and was taken into custody.
An officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department was also struck by the fleeing suspect, however, the officer was inside a patrol car and suffered no injuries.
The Salt Lake City Police Department shut down 7200 West south of I-80 to investigate the incident.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
