Michael Aaron Jayne 41 who has been arrested for fatally striking a Utah police officer with a semi-truck has a long criminal record that includes numerous counts of targeting law enforcement. Jayne’s history 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.
The fatal incident occurred over the weekend when Jayne fled a traffic stop on the highway. He then turned around to drive the wrong way striking the vehicle of a Santaquin police officer and a Utah Highway Patrol vehicle. The Santaquin officer died at the scene.
“Because of a senseless act by one individual we have family members who will miss their father at their nearing wedding” Santaquin Police Lt. Mike Wall said at a press conference. “But I can assure you that we as a police department will stand up and will be there and we are one family.”
In the 2009 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. He was convicted of two counts each of attempted aggravated murder and first-degree assault.
During his time in Shasta County California prison Jayne was written up 35 times for disciplinary issues and even brought a lawsuit over his disciplinary diet. After the Utah incident Jayne reportedly stole multiple vehicles to evade law enforcement before being arrested.
