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While the North Salt Lake Police Department mourns the loss of a fellow officer, video of his fatal crash may give them a better picture of what happened.
Police released dashcam video today of the Nov. 3, high-speed chase and crash that ultimately killed a North Salt Lake police officer Charles Skinner.
In the video you see the officer's car slam into a business sign along the chase route. Skinner, a new father of twins, was the first North Salt Lake Police officer ever killed in the line of duty.
One week ago, as a stolen car chase intensified in Davis County out onto I-15, then back U.S. 89, speeds reached more than 80 miles per hour.
Officer Skinner was in front of a cruiser headed south on U.S. 89 in Woods Cross when he lost control, spun around and slammed into a business sign near 2300 South.
The video helps investigators figure out what happened; rain and snow may have slickened a new surface.
Fellow officers say the video helps satisfy some of their curiosity. North Salt Lake police Sgt. Mitch Gwilliam says, "We can rely on somebody else's investigation but always want to know for ourselves what took place. Any information we can add to our own personal mental files is just that much more that we can answer personal questions."
Officer Skinner suffered head injuries and was taken off of life support Friday night.
The man Skinner was helping chase was 30-year-old William Fisher. He rolled the car he was driving just off the 900 West exit on I-15. He was wanted for stealing that car, as well as three other felony warrants involving stolen property.
Fisher is currently in jail facing those charges. Prosecutors are deciding if he can be additionally charged with Skinner's death.
Gwilliam anticipates police officers from all over Utah and beyond will Skinner's funeral on Friday.
The viewing will be at:
- Lindquist Mortuary
- 727 N. 400 East in Bountiful
- Thursday, Nov. 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The funeral will be at: - Bountiful Regional Center
- 835 N. 400 East in North Salt Lake
- Friday, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m.
- There will be a private viewing for family and the police department prior to the funeral from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Interment will be at: - 2224 S. 200 West
- Bountiful
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
