Utah Police Officer Fatally Struck by Tractor-Trailer During Traffic Stop

Santaquin Police Sgt. Bill Hooser and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper had pulled over a tractor-trailer on Interstate 15 when the semi fled the stop and struck Hooser and both cruisers.

Joe Vince

May 6, 2024

A Utah police officer was killed after he was struck by a tractor-trailer Sunday.

Santaquin Police Sgt. Bill Hooser and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper responded shortly before 6:30 a.m. to a report of a person standing on the back of a moving tractor-trailer along Interstate 15, KUTV reports. While trying to flee the stop, the tractor-trailer turned the wrong way and fatally struck Hooser, as well as his cruiser and the trooper's cruiser.

The driver of the tractor-trailer—identified as Michael Aaron Jayne, 42—fled the scene on foot. A manhunt ensued, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for the area as authorities searched for Jayne.

During the manhunt, Jayne stole a pickup truck, and police began a vehicle pursuit. The chase ended when Jayne crashed in the Vernal area, and he was apprehended.

Hooser was survived by his wife, two daughters and recently born granddaughter. A GoFundMe campaign has been started for his family.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.