A Utah police officer has been identified after a semi-truck driver died early Sunday after fleeing a traffic stop and hitting a police officer on the highway.
Santaquin Police Sergeant Bill Hooser, 50, was remembered as a “first class officer” and a hero, as colleagues and family members said during an emotional news conference Monday.
Santaquin State Police Chief Rod Hurst said, “On a personal note, I know this is what everyone says when a police officer is killed,” adding, “But Sergeant Hooser was a man who was really brought down.” He was one of the people.”
Mr. Hooser is survived by his wife of 29 years, two daughters and a granddaughter.
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Santaquin Police Sergeant Bill Hooser is survived by his wife of 29 years, two daughters, and a granddaughter. Mr. Hooser began his career in law enforcement eight years ago and was promoted to sergeant earlier this year. (Santaquin Police Station / Help a Hero)
Mr Hooser’s brother Michael said the family was devastated and thanked the community for showing love and support.
“Nothing can make up for the loss we feel,” Michael said. “We take comfort in knowing that Bill died a hero, doing the work he loved, serving the people he loved.”
Michael said his brother began his career in law enforcement as an unpaid volunteer late in life. Hurst said Hooser first started working for the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico eight years ago, then returned to his home state of Utah and joined the Santaquin Police Department.
Michael Aaron Jayne, 41, was arrested in connection with a fatal traffic stop after authorities say he led officers on a brief pursuit in a stolen pickup truck near Vernal, Utah. It was done. (Utah Department of Public Safety)
Hooser died Sunday after helping Utah Highway Patrol troopers conduct a traffic stop on a big rig along Interstate 15 after receiving a 911 call about a person in the back of the semitrailer.
Spanish Fork Police Lt. Corey Slaymaker said the truck driver fled the traffic stop, made a sudden U-turn and intentionally hit Hooser, Hooser’s car and a UHP patrol car. Mr. Fuser died at the scene.
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Police identified the truck driver as Michael Aaron Jayne, 41.
Jayne fled on foot to a nearby convenience store, where he stole another semi-truck, Sleymaker said. The truck was recovered in Mona, Utah, and the suspect is believed to have stolen a Ford pickup truck. Jayne allegedly drove the stolen pickup truck to Mount Pleasant, where he abandoned his vehicle and stole another Ford F150 pickup truck.
Police say Jain crashed into the stolen pickup truck pictured above before he was arrested. After authorities say Jayne struck and killed a police officer with his semi-truck during a traffic stop early Sunday, he allegedly stole multiple vehicles. (FOX13 Salt Lake City KSTU)
Jayne was later spotted driving the stolen pickup near Vernal, about 100 miles from where the fatal crash occurred, police said. After a short chase, police said Jayne crashed his stolen pickup truck and was taken into custody.
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Police said the investigation is ongoing.
