PROVO, Utah, May 24, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating a man they believe encountered the alleged suspect in the May 5 line-of-duty death of a Santaquin Police officer.
“The Utah County Officer Involved Critical Team investigators need help identifying a witness/victim in the death of Santaquin Police Sergeant Bill Hooser,” the Utah County Sheriff’s Office said online Thursday night.
The investigators included four photos of the man they think came in direct contact with Michael Aaron Jayne, the semi truck driver accused of intentionally hitting and killing Hooser while fleeing an early morning traffic stop.
“The driver of that car was putting gas in the car when this happened. It appears the driver of the car had a verbal exchange with the suspect.
“We are trying to identify and speak with the driver of this car” who was “using a crutch to walk, had a pony tail, and was driving a silver sedan,” the investigators said.
“If you recognize this person please call Utah County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Justin Gordon at (801) 851-4010.”
Jayne, 42, of Garrett, Indiana, has been charged with a long list of offenses, including:
- Aggravated murder (mentioned above), a first-degree felony, which carries the death penalty.
- Two counts of attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony (for the attempt to hit the trooper and female who had been held against her will)
- Aggravated kidnapping, a first-degree felony (for using a weapon during the illegal detention of the female passenger)
- Burglary, a second-degree felony (for entering a dwelling illegally)
- Three counts of automobile theft, a second-degree felony (for unauthorized taking of vehicles while fleeing police)
- Failing to obey the lawful command of police to stop, a third-degree felony (for fleeing despite law enforcement officers’ visual or audible signals to stop.)
