Skier charged with felony after tackle at Deer Valley leaves man seriously injured

PARK CITY, Utah — A Connecticut man has been charged with a second-degree felony for aggravated assault after allegedly tackling another skier at Deer Valley Resort, resulting in serious injuries, according to charging documents filed in Summit County’s Third District Court.

Paul Howard Kauffman, 63, of Wilton, Connecticut, is accused of physically assaulting another skier, identified as Anthony Ecock, during a confrontation on the slopes on March 15. Prosecutors say the altercation followed a brief verbal dispute.

According to the probable cause statement, Kauffman tackled Ecock while he was still wearing his skis, causing Ecock to fall to the ground. The impact left Ecock with multiple serious injuries to his right knee, including a multidirectional tear of the medial meniscus, a torn ACL, a partial tear of the fibular collateral ligament, and a fracture to the tibial plateau.

The Summit County Attorney’s Office alleges Kauffman’s actions involved unlawful force likely to cause serious bodily harm, meeting the threshold for aggravated assault with serious injury under Utah law.

The charge carries a potential penalty of up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

The case will be heard by Judge Richard E. Mrazik. Kauffman’s initial court appearance will be May 30.