Park City police K9 Bruno seriously injured on duty

Park City Police K9 Bruno, left, and the U.S. 40 and Interstate 80 interchange where he was seriously injured Tuesday after jumping from a freeway overpass during a suspicious package investigation. Photo: PCPD // UDOT

Park City Police K9 Bruno was seriously injured in the line of duty Tuesday and flown by Life Flight to an emergency veterinary hospital in Salt Lake City.

UPDATE: Park City police K9 Bruno in stable condition, set for surgery after breaking two legs and jaw

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — A Park City Police Department K9 was seriously injured Tuesday and flown by Life Flight to an emergency veterinary hospital in Salt Lake City after jumping from a freeway overpass while assisting with a suspicious package investigation near the U.S. 40 and Interstate 80 interchange.

The suspicious item was investigated and determined to be an e-bike battery or similar type of battery, according to Summit County Sheriff’s Sgt. Skyler Talbot. All road closures in the area have been lifted.

K9 Bruno and his handler had responded to assist the Utah Highway Patrol with the suspicious item, which closed the ramp from northbound U.S. 40 to westbound I-80. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Utah Highway Patrol and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the report, Talbot said.

While assessing the package, Bruno jumped from the overpass and sustained serious injuries, the Park City Police Department said in a statement. Talbot said the dog’s injuries were not related to the suspicious item under investigation.

Medical personnel at the scene immediately began treating Bruno before he was transported by Life Flight to Salt Lake City for emergency care.

“Bruno is more than a police K-9. He is a partner, a member of our department, and an important part of the Park City Police family,” the department said. “Our thoughts are with Bruno and his handler as he receives the care he needs.”