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PROVO — Provo police have confirmed that an officer-involved critical incident protocol was invoked last month after an officer hit a pedestrian with his patrol vehicle.
About 5:40 p.m. on Nov. 11, a 50-year-old man was crossing the road near 1000 S. State when he was struck by a Provo police officer's car, police said Tuesday. The man was taken to a local hospital in serious condition.
"Because the accident involved a Provo city officer, the initial report and subsequent investigation is being handled by Utah County's Officer Involved Critical Incident team with the assistance of Utah Highway Patrol," the department said.
When the investigation is concluded, it will be handed over to the Utah County Attorney's Office, which will determine if any criminal charges are warranted.
The lighting on the street at the time was dim, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in 4th District Court as part of the investigation. Another driver who witnessed the crash said the pedestrian walked into the road, and the officer appeared to try and swerve to avoid hitting him.
Investigators also learned that just four hours prior to incident, police had had contact with the man during a theft investigation and "officers noted that (he) smelt of alcohol and could barely keep his eyes open," the affidavit states.
Police have requested that his blood be tested to determine if impairment on the part of the pedestrian played a role.
