News

Actions

SLCPD officer didn’t jump, but fell off overpass during struggle with suspect

Posted at 6:32 PM, Sep 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-08 19:38:27-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- A Salt Lake City police officer is recovering after he was involved in a physical altercation that resulted in both the officer and a suspect falling from a freeway overpass.

Police initially reported that the suspect jumped from the I-15 freeway overpass over North Temple on Wednesday, and the officer pursuing him also jumped off the overpass. But SLCPD issued a clarification Thursday, saying the two were involved in a physical struggle and they both fell from the overpass.

"My understanding is it was somewhere between 20 and 25 feet," said Detective Greg Wilking, describing the fall his fellow officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department had taken.

The officer, who has not been identified, was found on the ground in serious condition. He was conscious and breathing when he was taken to the hospital. His injuries have since been described as not being life-threatening.

A massive search, involving multiple agencies and several K-9 units began in the area, starting just south of North Temple near the overpass where the officer and the suspect fell. The hunt ended when the suspect was found hiding in the Citifront Apartment complex on North Temple.

jesser-videaThe suspect was later identified as 20-year-old Jesser Cardina-Videa. Police said he was booked into jail for fleeing and resisting arrest as well as for two existing felony warrants.