North Salt Lake officer critical after chase, crash

BOUNTIFUL — A North Salt Lake police officer was critically injured when his vehicle crashed on wet roads here during a high-speed pursuit of a car that had been reported stolen.

It happened about 4 a.m. Monday as a Bountiful police officer was on patrol, driving through the parking lot of a Smith's grocery store at 2399 S. Main, according to police.

"He sees a guy in a vehicle acting suspicious," Bountiful Police Lt. Randy Pickett said. "He ran the plate and it said the car was stolen out of Salt Lake County."

As the officer was waiting for backup, the motorist took off and led police on a chase on I-15. Police from North Salt Lake, Woods Cross and other agencies joined in. As they approached U.S. 89 and 2300 South in Bountiful, Pickett said, North Salt Lake police officer Charlie Skinner lost control of his police cruiser on roads wet from recent rainstorms.

His vehicle slammed into the concrete base of a sign.

"I don't know how fast they were going, but it was high speeds," Picket said.

Skinner was flown to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray where he underwent surgery for severe brain injuries. He was last reported to be in critical condition.

"Right now they're just trying to keep him alive," Pickett said Monday.

The chase continued on I-15 to about 900 West in Salt Lake City, where the motorist rolled the car he was in. He was taken to University Hospital where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Skinner, 30, has been with the North Salt Lake Police Department for less than a year, said Sgt. Mitch Gwilliam. The officer's wife gave birth three weeks ago to twins, a boy and a girl.

"Charlie's family is very eager for Charlie to make a full recovery from his injuries and would like to have him home soon to be with his wife and children," the family said in a statement released through North Salt Lake police. "They ask you to keep Charlie in your thoughts and prayers."

Skinner was still listed in critical condition as of late Monday night.

An account has been set up at Zions Bank in Skinner's name to help with medical costs.

"It's pretty rough," Gwilliam said of the department's mood on Monday. "We're a pretty small department."

The fleeing motorist was identified as William Fisher, 30, who had three warrants for his arrest involving stolen vehicles and property.

Bountiful police turned Fisher over to state corrections officials once he was released from the hospital. Fisher is on probation, Pickett said.

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