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SLCPD Officer Injured After Suspected Impaired Driver Crashes into Three Police Cars

SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake City police officer is back to full duty after being hurt when a suspected impaired driver caused a chain reaction crash that damaged three police cars.

“I’m incredibly thankful that our officer is already back to work keeping our city safe,” said Chief Mike Brown. “This incident is a clear reminder of the dangers our police officers face every day. We’re fortunate this wasn’t worse, and I strongly urge everyone to make responsible and safe choices—never drive under the influence.”

This investigation started at 1:06 a.m. when a 25-year-old man driving northbound on 700 East crashed his car into the back of a parked SLCPD patrol car that had its emergency lights activated. Officers determined the 25-year-old man who allegedly caused the crash was impaired.

The parked police car was one of three police cars providing traffic control for another officer investigating an unrelated crash, which was later determined to be a case of impaired driving, near 1300 South 700 East.

When the collision occurred, the impact caused a chain reaction that resulted in three of the four SLCPD patrol cars on scene being damaged.

The crash resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to both the initial investigating officer and the driver from the initial investigation. Both were inside one of the police cars hit when the 25-year-old man crashed.

Officers on scene immediately provided medical attention to the officer, the driver from the initial investigation, and to the 25-year-old driver who caused the crash.

Doctors at a local hospital treated and released both the officer and the driver from the initial investigation.

The 25-year-old man was not injured.

SLCPD officers gave the driver from the initial investigation, a 47-year-old woman, a ticket for driving under the influence.

Troopers from the Utah Highway Patrol responded to investigate the crash involving the police cars and the 25-year-old man.

Troopers booked the 25-year-old man, identified as Alonzo Ganga, into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.

Several photos from the scene are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

Photo: Salt Lake City Police investigate a suspected impaired driving crash that occurred while officers were investigating an unrelated crash which was later determined to be another impaired driving case near 1300 South 700 East (SLCPD photo, September 17, 2024).

Photo: Salt Lake City Police investigate a suspected impaired driving crash that occurred while officers were investigating an unrelated crash which was later determined to be another impaired driving case near 1300 South 700 East (SLCPD photo, September 17, 2024).

Photo: Salt Lake City Police investigate a suspected impaired driving crash that occurred while officers were investigating an unrelated crash which was later determined to be another impaired driving case near 1300 South 700 East (SLCPD photo, September 17, 2024).

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