Box Elder County Sheriff Kevin Potter is on voluntary administrative leave following an Oct. 27 crash near the mouth of Ogden Canyon that critically injured a 22-year-old motorcyclist. The collision resulted in injuries that her family says are not expected to result in survival.
The crash occurred around 2:45 p.m. last Tuesday at the intersection of Canyon Road and Valley Drive in Weber County, according to the Ogden Police Department. Preliminary findings indicate the motorcyclist, identified by her family as Katie Sue Ruth Huggins, was traveling eastbound on Canyon Road when her motorcycle collided with a vehicle turning from Valley Drive onto westbound Canyon Road. Ogden police confirmed Friday that Potter was driving the vehicle involved in the collision.
In a statement released Friday, Box Elder County officials confirmed Potter's involvement and noted that he remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The county stated that Potter is taking voluntary administrative leave in accordance with standard procedures while the incident is under investigation. The Ogden Police Department and Weber Metro CRASH Team are conducting the investigation, which includes reconstructing the crash, examining physical evidence and vehicle data, and interviewing witnesses. Authorities have not determined fault and noted that investigations involving serious injuries can take several weeks or longer to complete.
The incident follows a previous investigation into Potter's conduct. In May, Box Elder County commissioners issued a formal censure to Potter after an independent review of a January 19 incident involving allegations of impaired driving. While the Utah Highway Patrol determined no criminal charges or citations were warranted in that instance, investigators substantiated violations of three county and sheriff's office policies. These violations included Potter's use of emergency lights during a confrontation and his admitted practice of transporting beer in a county-owned vehicle. Potter, who lost his bid for reelection in this year's Republican primary, remains sheriff while on leave.
Box Elder County officials said additional information regarding the crash will be released as it becomes available and appropriate for public disclosure.
