SANTAQUIN, UTAH – A tragic incident unfolded on a Utah highway as a truck driver allegedly killed a police officer during a traffic stop in Santaquin on Sunday morning. The officer, whose identity has not been released, was struck by the rig driven by Michael Aaron Jayne, 41, as he attempted to flee the scene, according to authorities.
The sequence of events began when a Santaquin police officer and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper initiated a stop of the semitrailer around 6:30 a.m. in response to a report of a person standing on the back of the rig while it traveled north on Interstate 15. However, Jayne allegedly attempted to drive away during the stop, ultimately turning the semitrailer around and driving in the wrong direction on the interstate.
Tragically, the rig collided with two police cars and struck the Santaquin officer, resulting in fatal injuries at the scene. Jayne, who was not immediately booked into jail, had no legal representation to offer comments on his behalf, as stated by police officials.
The incident has left the law enforcement community reeling from the loss, with Spanish Fork police Lt. Cory Slaymaker expressing profound sorrow during a news conference. The tragedy has deeply affected both the department and the family of the fallen officer, highlighting the devastating consequences of one individual’s senseless actions.
The traffic stop occurred on Interstate 15 in Santaquin, a town located approximately 65 miles south of Salt Lake City, where the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.
Following the collision, Jayne allegedly fled the scene on foot and engaged in vehicle theft, including a pickup truck. He was apprehended later on Sunday after a brief pursuit in the Vernal area, situated approximately 160 miles east of Santaquin, according to law enforcement authorities.
The motive behind Jayne’s actions, as well as the identity and purpose of the individual observed on the back of the semitrailer, remains under investigation, according to Spanish Fork police Lt. Cory Slaymaker, underscoring the complexities of the case.