Driver With Suspended License Injures Orem Police Officer

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    By John Hyde

    An Orem police officer was injured Monday, Mar. 13, 2006, when he was hit by a car on South State Street. The man who allegedly hit him was driving on a suspended license and had a warrant out for his arrest for past traffic violations.

    Armando Antonio Sierra, 26, was taken into custody on the warrant, but refused to sign the speeding ticket or promise to appear in court. Sierra said he was only going 35 mph and therefore not speeding.

    Although no one witnessed Sierra?s speed prior to the accident, the fact that Sierra was unable to control or stop his car before he crashed into someone else is evidence that he was going too fast for the conditions, said Lt. Doug Edwards of the Orem Department of Public Safety.

    The accident occurred when Officer Trent College pulled his patrol car behind a stalled motorist in the inside lane of southbound traffic at 800 S. State Street. Although the overhead lights on the patrol car were flashing, Sierra apparently didn?t notice the two cars until he was so close he had to slam on his brakes, which caused his car to slide on the icy roads, Edwards said. He allegedly hit College, who was getting out of his car, as well as hitting both the patrol car and the stalled vehicle.

    Sierra was booked into the Utah County Jail. He posted bail and was released Monday, Mar. 13.

    College, who went to the Timpanogos Hospital for back pain, reported back to work Monday night for his graveyard shift.

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