SANTAQUIN, Utah — A semi-truck driver suspected of hitting and killing a Santaquin police officer on Interstate 15 early Sunday has been apprehended after fleeing over 150 miles away.
Around 6 a.m., Utah Highway Patrol received a call reporting someone standing on the back of a semitrailer traveling north. A Santaquin police officer and UHP trooper located the truck 30 minutes later and performed a traffic stop on I-15 near mile marker 244.
During the traffic stop, the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Michael Aaron Jayne, fled the scene in the truck and headed northbound before turning around and driving the wrong way. The truck hit the Santaquin officer, his car and the trooper’s vehicle.
The police officer was declared dead at the scene after being struck, while Jayne fled the area on foot.
The name of the officer has not yet been released.
A “Blue Alert” was issued for Jayne, who police say stole a Ford F-150 somewhere in Sanpete County, and possibly other vehicles. “Blue Alerts” are issued whenever a law enforcement officer is injured or killed.
Jayne was later located near Vernal, and police engaged in a short pursuit before he crashed the stolen pickup. He was then taken into custody.
Utah DPS; FOX 13 News
A shelter-in-place order was issued for residents near Mona, but that order was lifted just before 10:15 a.m.
Utah Highway Patrol closed both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-15 as officers investigated the crash. It has since been opened in both directions.
“Our entire department is hurt, and the family of the officer is hurt,” Santaquin Police Lt. Mike Wall said through tears at a press conference. “Because of a senseless act by one individual, we have family members who will miss their father at their nearing wedding. But I can assure you that we as a police department will stand up and will be there, and we are one family.”
VIDEO BELOW: Emotional moment as Lt. Wall speaks on the fallen officer
Emotional address from Santaquin PD lieutenant
“This loss is one of those difficult times that we will struggle with for some time, and we will do our best supporting each other, loving one another, and loving these men in blue that serve us every day,” Santaquin Mayor Dan Olson added.
Later Sunday afternoon, dozens of police officers on motorcycles and in patrol vehicles escorted the body of the fallen officer on I-15 from the scene of the incident to the state medical examiner’s office. (Video below via Rob Geertsen)
Procession in Draper
In a social media post, Gov. Spencer Cox expressed his condolences for the officer: “Devastating news from our law enforcement community this morning. Please keep this officer’s family in your prayers. Our hearts are broken and we give our unending gratitude to all those who protect and serve.”
Cox later held a press conference, where he talked about what the tragedy means to Utah and expressed his gratitude for law enforcement officers. It can be viewed below:
Gov. Cox addresses fallen officer
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office is planning another procession Monday at 10 a.m. to bring the fallen officer back to Santaquin. After that, officials are holding a press conference at noon to share more information about the incident and possibly identify the officer.
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