From Deseret News archives:
Collision involving police cars raises questions about pursuit
In Monday's accident, police were pursuing inmate Curtis Michael Allgier, who was on the run after police say he shot and killed a corrections officer at the University of Utah Orthopaedic Center. Allgier was taken into custody after he abandoned his stolen vehicle at an Arby's restaurant in Salt Lake City on the corner of 1700 South and Redwood Road.
Given the circumstances, Salt Lake City police were "justified" in pursuing Allgier at high speeds through streets and on the highway, according to Salt Lake City police spokesman Sgt. Rich Brede.
"We can't pursue for just anything," Brede said. "But this here is a homicide subject."
Brede said the goal was to isolate Allgier and deny him access to more victims.
But early in the pursuit, four Salt Lake City police officers, including two in one car, converged simultaneously at the intersection of 900 West and 400 South. They were responding to a tip that Allgier might be in the area and had not yet become part of the actual chase.
In two police cars, both front-seat air bags were deployed. Afterward, one officer had visible wounds on his face, and a second officer's arm was wrapped in bandages.
The accident happened with such force that the trunk of one police car popped open, and a ballistics helmet inside flew out and into the driver's side of the windshield of a Salt Lake City detective's car at the intersection.
One car landed in a city park strip on 900 West, and another spun around and into the woman's sedan, so that her car was pointed east along 400 South. It's not known yet how fast the officers were traveling at the time.
"We don't make a hard and fast rule of specific speed," Brede said about pursuits with lights and sirens. "Obviously, we want to be prudent and balance the safety of the public with the likelihood of apprehension."
An outside agency, possibly the Utah Highway Patrol, was called in Monday to investigate the accident.
Comments
- NFL: Week 12 recap 12:50 a.m.
- '12 Days' bill would top $87K 12:35 a.m.
- Study finds autism therapy works 12:35 a.m.
- Boy shot following traffic stop 12:35 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:24 a.m.
- Herbert builds his team of rivals 12:21 a.m.
- Corroon a step closer to governor 12:21 a.m.
- Monday on TV 12:18 a.m.
- Editorial: East, West and religion 12:17 a.m.
- A deficit commission? 12:17 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
869 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
473 - Max Hall issues apology
145 - BYU is champion of the state
137 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
68 - Utes fall to Seattle U. at home
65
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
I find it interesting that many of the same people who say that we can't...
None of these teams is going to be easy. They all have fine football...
Max, no apology was necessary, but the apology was polically correct. If...
Very good piece of writing, Amy. You summarized what many of us have been...
How is a top 25 finish make Utah a top twenty team? I think what the poster...
90% of the BYU & Utah fans have class, and Hall knows it. If you don't...
This might be my favorite article I've ever read from the Deseret News. Kudos.
Thank you for not giving up and don't give up now brother and sister...
Dr. Lois Lee's work with children who are victims of child sexual...
Look at the preview for Pixar's "Up". The whole move is summarized in...




You can be the first to comment on this story.