North Salt Lake officer injured in crash is still in critical shape

NORTH SALT LAKE — A police officer injured after crashing his car on wet roads during a police pursuit remains hospitalized in critical condition.

"He's still critical and they're still working on trying to stabilize his head injury," North Salt Lake Police Sgt. Mitch Gwilliam said Tuesday.

Officer Charlie Skinner, 30, suffered severe head injuries while pursuing a suspected car thief during a chase on Monday in Bountiful. Police said Skinner's patrol car slid on rain-soaked roads and slammed into the concrete base of a restaurant sign.

The man police officers were pursuing later rolled his vehicle in Salt Lake City. He was not seriously injured and is in the custody of state corrections officers for a series of warrants and a probation violation.

An account to help Skinner's family with medical and other costs has been sent up at Zions Bank in the officer's name, Gwilliam said.

— Ben Winslow