A Utah police officer lost his life in a tragic incident on Sunday when a semi-truck driver attempted to flee a traffic stop and struck the officer, leading to a lengthy manhunt that culminated in the driver's arrest, as per authorities.
The incident unfolded when a 911 call reported a person standing on the back of a big rig's trailer traveling north on Interstate 15. A Santaquin police officer and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper responded to the call and initiated a traffic stop on the semi-truck about 30 minutes later.
During the traffic stop, the truck driver tried to evade capture by driving north briefly before turning around and driving in the wrong direction towards the officer and trooper. Tragically, the truck driver struck the Santaquin officer, the officer's vehicle, and a UHP patrol vehicle, resulting in the death of the Santaquin officer at the scene.
The officer's identity has not been disclosed by authorities. The Santaquin Police Department expressed deep sorrow over the loss, emphasizing the impact on the officer's family and the department as a whole.
The truck driver, identified as Michael Aaron Jayne, 41, fled the scene on foot and was suspected of stealing multiple vehicles in an attempt to evade capture. After a pursuit, Jayne was apprehended near Vernal while driving a stolen white Ford F150.
Following the arrest, Governor Spencer Cox extended condolences to the officer's family and the law enforcement community, acknowledging the heartbreaking nature of the incident. Santaquin, a town located approximately 65 miles south of Salt Lake City with a population of around 14,000, was deeply affected by the tragic loss.
