A Utah County sheriff’s deputy was charged Monday with manslaughter. Investigators say he hit and and killed a BYU pupil in March 2021 whereas dashing to the scene of a SWAT name in his private car. Provo Police Division
A Utah County sheriff's deputy who prosecutors say was going greater than 20 mph over the pace restrict in his personal car whereas responding to a SWAT standoff when he crashed into one other automotive, killing a BYU pupil, was charged Monday with manslaughter.
On March 16, 2021, Joseph Richardson, 52, of Provo, was going 56 mph on 900 East in Provo, when Joseph Spencer, 22, a pupil at Brigham Younger College, began to drag out of a Taco Bell at 433 North. Richardson then elevated his pace to just about 58 mph, in response to charging paperwork, earlier than he hit his brakes on the final second. Richardson’s Toyota Tacoma hit the driving force’s facet door of Spencer’s Toyota Avalon. Spencer was killed.
"As I used to be coming down right here I noticed him begin to pull out in entrance of me. I should not ... I should not have tried to beat him," Richardson informed one other officer who responded to the crash, in response to the fees.
Monday, the Summit County Legal professional's Workplace charged Richardson with manslaughter, a second-degree felony, in 4th District Court docket. In February, the Utah County Legal professional's Workplace introduced it had handed the outcomes of its investigation over to Summit County to find out whether or not fees must be filed, with a view to keep away from a battle of curiosity.
On March 16, 2021, members of the Utah County Sheriff's SWAT group have been known as to a home in Nice Grove the place a person allegedly fired pictures at his neighbor and later shot at police. That led to a tense six-hour standoff which ended after police used an armored car to interrupt by way of the entrance door.
Simply earlier than 4 p.m., Richardson was responding to the standoff in his personal car, which didn't have police lights or a siren.
In keeping with investigators who reconstructed the crash, Richardson was touring 56 mph lower than 5 seconds earlier than the crash occurred, the fees state. Simply two seconds earlier than hitting Spencer's automotive, Richardson's pace elevated to 57.8 mph. However a little bit greater than a second earlier than affect, Richardon's pace dropped to about 38 mph, the fees state.
Richardson hit his brakes and swerved to the left however couldn't keep away from hitting Spencer, in response to charging paperwork.
The Utah County Sheriff's Workplace launched a short assertion Monday afternoon, stating that Richardson has been on go away for the reason that crash.
"Because of a pending lawsuit, we're not capable of say a lot about this accident. Our deputy, who has been with the Utah County Sheriff's Workplace for 17 years, has been on go away pending the result of this investigation for the reason that accident occurred. This incident is a tragedy for all concerned. Our hearts are damaged for the loss and ache this accident has brought about," Sheriff Mike Smith acknowledged.
Utah County Legal professional David Leavitt additionally issued a short assertion Monday, thanking Summit County officers for his or her work.
"I wish to specific my appreciation to the Summit County Legal professional Margaret Olson, for taking over this troublesome case. I additionally wish to thank the a number of regulation enforcement businesses working by way of a prolonged investigation. They offered further investigation requested by our bureau of investigations. It was an intensive and prolonged investigation. The information and proof have been then offered to the Summit County Legal professional for a assessment of the proof and a charging determination."