SANTAQUIN, UT – A traffic stop on a Utah highway turned deadly on Sunday when a semi-truck driver allegedly killed a police officer by striking him with the vehicle, according to the police reports.
The incident occurred when a Santaquin police officer and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper responded to a 911 call about a person seen standing on the back of a semi-truck. The officers stopped the truck around 6:30 a.m. as it moved north on Interstate 15.
During the stop, the driver, identified as 41-year-old Michael Aaron Jayne, reportedly drove off, turned the semi around, and started heading the wrong way on the freeway, confirmed the Spanish Fork police. In the process, the vehicle crashed into two police cars and the Santaquin officer, causing him to lose his life at the scene.
Jayne, as of the time of the report, has yet to be booked into jail and does not have an attorney listed for comment. The identity of the deceased officer is yet to be disclosed.
“Our entire department is hurt. And the family of the officer is hurt because of a senseless act by one individual,” stated Spanish Fork Police Lt. Cory Slaymaker during a news conference.
Following the incident, Jayne is alleged to have fled the scene on foot, engaging in vehicle theft, including a pickup truck. He was subsequently arrested later Sunday after a brief chase in the Vernal area, stated the police.
The circumstances surrounding the individual seen on the back of the semi and his or her motivations are currently being investigated.