Search fatalities

Joseph Spencer

Age : 22

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 03/16/2021

Location : 433 N. 900 East

City : Provo

County : Utah

State : Utah

Agency : Utah County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) :Joseph Richardson

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver killed by police vehicle crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 03/16/2021, Utah County Sheriff’s deputy Joseph Richardson was driving his personal vehicle at a high rate of speed while responding to an unrelated incident when he crashed into the vehicle driven by 22 year old Joseph Spencer in Provo. Spencer was killed in the collision. Investigators later determined that Richardson was traveling well above the speed limit and was not responding to a call involving an immediate threat to life. Prosecutors charged Richardson with felony manslaughter in connection with Spencer’s death. In 2023, Richardson reached a plea deal in which the manslaughter charge was reduced to negligent homicide and held in abeyance, allowing him to avoid prison if conditions were met. Spencer’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county, citing reckless conduct and systemic failures in accountability.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/03/22/father-byu-student-killed/
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/03/07/utah-county-officer/
https://universe.byu.edu/2022/03/23/father-of-late-byu-student-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit/
https://www.ksl.com/article/50129139/22-year-old-student-killed-in-provo-crash-was-hit-by-swat-member-headed-to-pleasant-grove-standoff
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2023/06/26/utah-county-deputy-reaches-plea/