Box Elder County Sheriff Kevin Potter is on voluntary administrative leave following a motor vehicle incident on Tuesday, Oct. 27, that left a 22-year-old motorcyclist in critical condition. The collision occurred at the mouth of Ogden Canyon, prompting an investigation by outside agencies due to the sheriff's involvement.
Details of the Collision
The collision occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Valley Drive and Canyon Road, near the mouth of Ogden Canyon. According to an earlier statement from the Ogden Police Department, the motorcyclist was traveling eastbound on Canyon Road when the collision occurred with a vehicle turning from Valley Drive onto westbound Canyon Road. The driver of the vehicle involved in the turn was confirmed by Ogden Police to be Sheriff Potter.
Injuries and Investigation
The 22-year-old female motorcyclist sustained severe injuries during the crash and was transported to a local area hospital. While officials expressed hope for her recovery, her specific medical condition as of Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, was not made available to the public. Both the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office and the Ogden Police Department issued statements expressing their thoughts for the injured woman and her family.
Administrative Leave and Oversight
Because the incident involved a high-ranking law enforcement officer, outside agencies are conducting the investigation. The Weber Metro CRASH Team and the Ogden Police Department are leading the inquiry into the crash. Box Elder County officials confirmed that Sheriff Potter remained at the scene of the incident and cooperated with investigators. In accordance with standard procedures, the Sheriff's Office stated that Potter is taking voluntary administrative leave while the investigation remains ongoing.
Previous Driving Scrutiny
This incident follows a previous instance of scrutiny regarding Potter's driving. Nine months ago, in January, a northern Utah rancher named James Knight reported an encounter involving Potter and his truck on Knight's property. Knight stated that after asking the sheriff not to park on his property, Potter became confrontational, claiming he was the sheriff and could do as he pleased.
Past Reports of Impairment
Following that January encounter, Knight reported seeing Potter's truck drifting onto rumble strips on I-15 near Tremonton. Knight stated that at the time, Potter appeared to be wobbly and his speech seemed slightly slurred. Although Knight called 911 and the report led to a Utah Highway Patrol investigation, Potter informed investigators over the phone that he had not been impaired. Records indicated that Potter declined to be interviewed in person at his home during that previous inquiry.
Current Status
The current investigation by the Ogden Police Department has not yet released results regarding whether Potter was tested for impairment, such as blood alcohol or field sobriety tests, following the Tuesday crash. The county has stated its thoughts are with everyone affected by the accident.
Political Background
Potter's involvement in the crash comes after he lost his primary reelection bid earlier this year to Mike Allred by a margin of more than 2,000 votes.
