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Whit Johnson ReportingFriends, family and co-workers are mourning the loss of a man who was killed when his car collided with a police car.
The investigation is taking a little longer than it would for a typical car accident, mostly because a police officer was involved. In the meantime, people close to the victim, John Douglas, wait for answers and remember the great person he was.
It was early Wednesday morning in Taylosrville around 1 a.m. At the intersection of 47th South and Redwood Road a police officer collided with another vehicle, killing 27-year-old John Douglas.
Emily Vaughn, Friend of John: "I just started crying, turned around, walked right out the door and came home."
Christy Hurst, Friend of John: "He's fine. He's okay somewhere. Of all the people it can't be him. There's no way it can be him."
Emily Vaughn and Christy Hurst both worked with John at a telephone services company called Convergys.
Emily Vaughn, Friend of John: "He was like my best friend. I mean I talked to him about everything."
Emily says she spoke to John moments before he was killed. He got held up at work and was driving home for the night.
Emily Vaughn: "He texted me and he said, ‘Yeah I get to go home to my wife now.'"
John's wife Lauren, as well as the rest of his family and friends, will have to wait for closure. At the time of the accident initial reports from police indicated the officer was driving with his lights and siren on and that John may have turned in front of the patrol car. But now the West Valley City Police Department has taken over the case and say they're re-examining all the facts, answers that Christy and Emily hope will explain exactly what happened to their close friend.
Christy Hurst: "He was a person who would bend over backwards for you whether he knew you or not."
Emily Vaughn: "He was always happy no matter what."
I've been in contact with some other family members and friends of John Douglas. They all expressed their concern for the officer involved as well, they're just calling it a tragic accident. The West Valley City Police Department is still hoping more witnesses to come forward.
