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MILLCREEK — An off-duty police officer was flown to the hospital in critical condition Monday after his SUV rolled off the road and slid into the side of a home at the corner of 3300 South and 2700 East.
Witnesses told police that the officer, who was heading west on 3300 South at about 7 p.m., had swerved to avoid hitting a minivan that was making a left turn onto 2700 East after the turn signal went red. The officer apparently locked his brakes and skidded through a cement barrier in place to protect the home, Unified Police Lt. John Barker said.
The officer, whose name was not released, had to be extricated from his vehicle, a process that took nearly an hour Monday.
It is unknown if the officer was headed to an emergency, but nearby, a robbery had just been reported.
"If you're out in your car and there's an emergency, we're expected to respond to those and assist," Barker said. He could not confirm if the officer was in pursuit and said the accident is under investigation.
The officer has a wife and three kids and had been a patrolling officer with the Unified Police Department for 18 years. He is expected to survive but sustained serious back and head injuries in the accident, Barker said.
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Written by Wendy Leonard with contributions from John Daley.
