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Surveillance footage from the Maverick in Santaquin on May 5, 2024, of a man who investigators are searching for as a possible witness in the death of Sgt. Bill Hooser.

Courtesy Utah County Sheriff's Officer

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Surveillance footage from the Maverick in Santaquin on May 5, 2024, of a man who investigators are searching for as a possible witness in the death of Sgt. Bill Hooser.

Courtesy Utah County Sheriff's Office

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Surveillance footage from the Maverick in Santaquin on May 5, 2024, of a man who investigators are searching for as a possible witness in the death of Sgt. Bill Hooser.

Courtesy Utah County Sheriff's Office

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Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a possible witness as they investigate the death of Santquin Sgt. Bill Hooser, who was killed May 5.

A press release sent Thursday evening said the Utah County Officer Involved Critical Incident Team is investigating the case and is attempting to identify a man who was seen on surveillance video at the Maverick gas station in Santaquin shortly after the incident.

Hooser was killed when he was struck by a semitruck while he and a Highway Patrol trooper were conducting a traffic stop, when the semi driver allegedly fled after being stopped by the officers, turned around and hit Hooser.

The incident happened on northbound Interstate 15 near exit 244 in Santaquin, where the Maverick is located.

According to the press release, surveillance footage showed a man attempting to take a car as the driver was pumping gas. The two appeared to have a verbal exchange, the release said, and investigators are searching for the driver of the vehicle.

Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon said it is believed that the other man who attempted to take the car is Michael Aaron Jayne, the man accused of killing Hooser.

The release said the driver was talking with a crutch, had a ponytail and was driving a silver sedan.

Cannon said they don’t know if the man is local to the area or was just passing through.

“All we know is that he was there and appeared to have some sort of an interaction, even verbal interaction, perhaps with Mr. Jayne. So we’re trying to figure out who he is to see if he might have any more insights about what he saw and what, if anything, Mr. Jayne said to him,” Cannon said.

According to Cannon, while investigators don’t have a more detailed description or clearer images, they’re hoping someone will recognize the man or that the man himself will see the information and reach out.

“It’s also possible that he may not have even known what else had been done beyond at the gas station there in the attempt to take his car,” Cannon said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Justin Gordon of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office at 801-851-4010 or by email at justing@utahcounty.gov.

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