Critically injured Rigby reserve officer has died
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RIGBY — William “Bill” Gray, a truck driver and reserve police officer from Rigby, has died.
The Rigby Police Department announced the death on social media late Monday night.
Gray, 43, had been in critical condition at the University of Utah Burn Center since July, following a head-on crash caused by a man in a pickup truck who was fleeing police on U.S. Highway 89 in Utah.
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“(Bill) has been in a long hard fight,” the Department Facebook post reads. “Tonight, his body lost this fight. We would like to offer our condolences to his wife, April, and their loved ones. We say “body” because his spirit will live on with all of us. Bill was truly the best of mankind. Always willing to help, always willing to go the extra mile. Bill was a big man, with a bigger heart.”
EastIdahoNews.com has reached out to the family for comment.
Gray joined the Rigby Police Department as a volunteer reserve officer five years ago. He was also a full-time semi truck driver who loved serving the city, Police Chief Sam Tower told EastIdahoNews.com in July.
Gray received national attention last month when, after he was admitted to the burn center, a Salt Lake City police officer arrived to conduct a blood draw to test for illicit substances in his blood. University hospital nurse Alex Wubbels refused to draw the blood, quoting hospital policy. She was arrested on the spot but later released without charges.
In response to this situation, April said in a news release, “I’m glad she (nurse Wubbles) was protecting my husband and I love our police community. I’m deeply grateful to the Logan police officers who helped Bill on the scene of the accident, as well as all the medical staff who have treated him since then. They have all been wonderful.”
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Two donation accounts have been set up to help the Gray family with medical and travel expenses.
In person, by mail, or via bill pay:
Zion’s Bank-William Gray Fund
149 W. Main Street, Rexburg, ID 83440
(208) 356-7688