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Sam Penrod reportingDan Pearson, South Jordan Police Dept. "It appears to have been an intentional attempt to strike the officer's vehicle."
A South Jordan Police officer is seriously hurt this morning--after being hit head on by a suspect in a police chase.
The South Jordan officer was trying to stop the suspect who was wanted for making threats with a gun late last night.
When officers stopped the suspect, he sped away, beginning a short chase, that ended in a serious collision.
Officer Bill Bagshaw was in surgery for several hours today, after suffering multiple fractures to one of his legs and breaking his arm.
The officer is expected to recover.
He was hurt after a suspect crashed into his patrol car in an apparent attempt to get away.
A mangled police car and a wrecked pickup truck, the result of a severe head on collision early this morning on the Bangerter highway, near 7800 South.
Investigators say the driver of the truck intentionally crashed into to the police officer.
What makes all of this so strange, is that the truck that hit the officer is also owned by South Jordan City.
Chief Dan Pearson, South Jordan Police Dept.: "It's our understanding right now that the person is an employee of the parks and recreation department of South Jordan City"
Investigator say the trouble started here at this home at 243 E. Hidden View Drive in Sandy, late last night.
The suspect was involved in some sort of domestic fight where he brandished a gun.
When officers saw the suspect about three this morning, they tried to pull him over.
That's when the man took off, then abruptly pulled a U-turn and crashed head on into the police car.
Chief Dan Pearson, South Jordan Police Dept: "At the time of impact, the officer was virtually at a standstill which is part of the reason he couldn't get out of the way."
But the situation almost got worse-- police fear the man was attempting suicide by cop.
Chief Dan Pearson, South Jordan Police Dept: "We very nearly had a shooting, when the suspect came out of the vehicle, his mannerisms and everything were such that it appeared he was trying to get the officers to shoot him."
Other officers released a police dog on the suspect, who was taken down before any shots were fired.
Investigators do have a very good idea of what happened in the crash, because all three police cars, including the officer's car that was hit, had dash cameras recording.
Chief Dan Pearson, South Jordan Police Dept: We have the whole thing on video so we'll be reviewing that."
West Jordan Police, who are now handling the investigation aren't releasing that dash camera video yet.
The suspect is 30- year old Bryce Hall who is under police guard in the hospital with a broken leg.
He faces numerous charges, including aggravated assault against a police officer.
