On Friday August 21, 2009 a West Valley City motorcycle officer was chasing a traffic violator - he pulled into the center lane of traffic and turned on his lights to pass an uninvolved car and as they enter an intersection the uninvolved car suddenly made a left-hand turn crashing into the officer.  The motorcycle stayed upright but was propelled into oncoming traffic where another crash sent the officer to the pavement.  Lt. Bill Merritt said the officer's helmet had a "good gouge" out of the back side and immediately after the crash the officer was on his feet and talking, but he was disoriented and unsure what had happened when Merritt arrived five minutes later.  "He's fine, but he had pretty good road rash on the right side of his body,"Merritt said.

This officer was very lucky that he was wearing a helmet and the injury could have been much worse.  The officer might have sustained a traumatic brain injury or sustained a severe laceration at best.  It is speculation whether the helmet saved his life but what is certain is that the injuries could have been much worse.

The statement by Lt. Merritt that the injured officer "He's fine" is premature because brain injury caused by a motorcycle crash can be latent not presenting obvious injury until hours, days or even months later.  Even a mild concussion may eventually cost this officer his ability to be a motorcycle officer in the future interfering with his vestibular apparatus and causing balance problems for example.  Because someone stands up after a crash we can not assume they are "fine" and I believe that all but the most minor crash victims should seek medical care to make sure they are not injured.

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