Background Check Reveals Troubling Past

Court documents unveil the troubling past of Michael Aaron Jayne, the man accused of fatally striking a Santaquin police officer with a semi-truck and fleeing the scene. Records indicate that Jayne had a prior conviction for attempting a similar offense in Oregon.

Oregon Incident: A History of Violence

In 2009, Jayne attempted to kill an Oregon State Police officer by trying to run him over with his vehicle on State Highway 66. He was convicted in 2010 for attempted assault in the first degree and possessing body armor as a felon. Despite pleading guilty to both counts, Jayne managed to evade a conviction for attempted aggravated murder.

Cross-State Escapades

Jayne’s criminal history extends beyond Oregon. He had a previous felony conviction in California and was reportedly involved in an incident in Kansas in 2012. During this episode, he stole a pickup truck and engaged in a high-speed chase, prompting law enforcement to consider him armed and dangerous.

Fatal Encounter in Utah

The recent tragedy unfolded in Santaquin, Utah, where Jayne allegedly struck Santaquin police Sgt. Bill Hooser with a semi-truck, resulting in Hooser’s death. The incident began with a traffic stop on a northbound semi-truck on I-15. However, the situation escalated when the truck turned around, striking Hooser and patrol vehicles before Jayne fled the scene.

Multi-Vehicle Pursuit

Following the hit-and-run, Jayne reportedly fled to a nearby convenience store, where he stole another semi-truck before abandoning it in Mona. He then stole a Ford pickup truck, subsequently crashing it during a high-speed pursuit near Vernal. The chaotic sequence of events led to a shelter-in-place order in the area as authorities worked to apprehend Jayne.

Conclusion: A Tragic Sequence of Events

The tragic loss of Sgt. Bill Hooser underscores the importance of addressing the complexities of criminal behavior and ensuring public safety. Jayne’s history of violence across multiple states highlights the challenges law enforcement agencies face in dealing with repeat offenders. As the community mourns the loss of a dedicated officer, questions arise about how such individuals slip through the cracks of the criminal justice system.

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