New details emerge in chase that sent Unified Police officer, other driver to hospital

SALT LAKE CITY— New details have emerged about a police chase that sent a Unified Police officer to the hospital on Friday. 

Unified Police said they were pursuing a man in a stolen vehicle through South Salt Lake, Murray, and Sandy, with the assistance of a Department of Public Safety helicopter. At one point, they deployed spike strips, but the suspect kept going. 

During the chase, a Unified Police officer was clearing an intersection when his car was hit by another. According to Unified Police Sgt. Aymee Race, the officer’s emergency lights were on. However, the other driver went through a green light, colliding with him. 

“Both of those individuals, the officer and the driver of the other vehicle, were taken to local hospitals, just on minor injuries,” Race said.

Race confirmed the officer has since been released from the hospital. The status of the other driver was not immediately available.

Eventually, 30-year-old Leonard Clark was arrested. A probable cause statement said he could face charges related to the stolen vehicle and failure to stop for police commands.

Clark was sentenced in 2021 for fleeing from police and assaulting an officer in 2019, according to court documents. He was released from the Salt Lake County Jail in 2024. In August, he allegedly fled from police twice in two days.

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Contributing: Michael Houck, KSL TV

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