Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PRICE — A Carbon County man was arrested today after driving his car into a school playground.
Christopher Craig, 33, drove his small car into the bus turnaround, over the curb and cross the sidewalk to an asphalted playground while school was in session, but nobody was injured.
Price Police Captain Bill Barnes said Craig has mental health problems that result in occasional episodes like today’s. After parking his vehicle, Craig got out and spoke with an officer who happened to already be on the scene.
“He got out, presented himself — he was wearing what we would term Arabic-style clothing, complete with a turban on his head,” Barnes said. “We of course know who he is and what his situation is.”
Barnes said he Craig has had interactions with law enforcement in the past, due to the nature of his illness.
“There was no fight, no nothing,” Barnes said. “The school initially started to move the kids away from that side of the building but as is turns out, nobody was ever in danger. We moved his car off the playground and he has been booked into jail.”
Craig was taken to Carbon County Jail. Police anticipate he will be charged with minor misdemeanors of disorderly conduct and driving under suspension. However, Barnes noted that Craig has never proven to be violent.
“He is normally a wonderful guy, a nice man, husband and father,” Barnes said. “We hope our colleagues from mental health services can interact with him and assist him through this.”
Barnes said Craig has a child who attends the school and is well aware of the pick-up and drop-off procedures. He also said Craig’s child was not in school today.
Craig was the head coach of the USU Eastern basketball team from 2007 to 2010. Last summer he made headlines by causing scenes at Colorado churches. Craig drove around wearing a homemade turban and sunglasses, disturbing classes and filming himself.