The man accused of fatally hitting a Utah police officer with a semi-truck over the weekend has a lengthy criminal history that includes over 20 previous counts of targeting law enforcement. Michael Aaron Jayne 41 has been arrested in connection with the death of the Santaquin police officer who was struck during a traffic stop.
Jayne’s criminal record includes a 2009 conviction in Oregon for attempted murder of a police officer and 17 counts in California for assaulting correctional officers and making criminal threats while incarcerated. In the Oregon case Jayne then 27 was accused of leading troopers in a chase and attempting to cause a head-on collision with a police vehicle.
During the recent incident in Utah Jayne fled a traffic stop and then turned around to drive the wrong way on the highway striking the Santaquin officer’s vehicle and a Utah Highway Patrol vehicle. The officer whose name has not been released died at the scene.
“Our entire department is hurt and the family of the officer is hurt,” Santaquin Police Lt. Mike Wall said 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.”
After the fatal incident Jayne allegedly stole multiple vehicles to evade law enforcement before being arrested. While incarcerated in Shasta County California Jayne was written up 35 times for disciplinary issues and even brought a lawsuit over his disciplinary diet.
