Thomas Caygle, a former officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department, was found not guilty of aggravated assault after a December 2022 crash that occurred while he was off duty in Weber County.
Prosecutor Sean Brian failed to convince a judge that Caygle intentionally crushed the victim’s leg with his car.
Although Caygle was found not guilty of aggravated assault, he was found guilty of a lesser charge — negligently operating a motor vehicle.
Prosecutors argued Caygle was under the influence of alcohol and Xanax when he crashed into the victim twice in December 2022. The first crash was minor. The second crash left the victim with his body pinned between two vehicles.
Blood tests did not find any alcohol in Caygle’s system.
Caygle’s doctor testified that he wrote the Xanax prescription due to Caygle’s diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
Judge Jason C. Nelson said there was no evidence the crash was intentional or that Caygle was under the influence of alcohol. He described Caygle’s driving as “negligent” rather than “reckless” or “intentional.”