Shurtleff to have second surgery on leg breaks

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff broke his leg in at least seven places in a motorcycle accident and was expected to have a second operation later this week, a spokesman said Sunday.

Shurtleff was injured Saturday when the motorcycle he was driving hit a patch of gravel. His left foot twisted when the Harley-Davidson fell. Shurtleff's leg was fractured in multiple places from the thigh down to the shin, Murphy said.

Shurtleff had surgery late Saturday at University Hospital and was resting Sunday, Murphy said. Doctors planned a second operation for later in the week once the swelling subsided.

Shurtleff was preparing for "Fall Ride For Fallen Officers," a charity ride for the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation. He helped plan the event, which raised money to build a memorial at the Capitol for law enforcement officers who were killed while on duty.

Although the ride went on without him Sunday, Murphy said Shurtleff was sending him text messages from his hospital bed during a ceremony at the Capitol.

"He feels really bad he couldn't be a part of this," Murphy said. "He's been a big supporter of the memorial and a big supporter of law enforcement."

Murphy said Shurtleff has ridden motorcycles in the past and recently got a permit so he could participate in Sunday's ride. He was wearing a helmet when the accident happened Saturday afternoon in Lindon.

He was taken to a local hospital, then flown to Salt Lake City.

"Fortunately people saw him go down and were able to provide assistance," Murphy said.