Trooper Hit By Man On Dirt Bike At Utah State Capitol Building
May 22, 2021, 10:43 PM | Updated: Apr 14, 2023, 3:45 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah Highway Patrol trooper suffered several injuries to his body after he was hit by a dirt bike just steps from the Capitol building in Salt Lake City.
The incident happened just before 2 a.m. Saturday.
“As they exited these doors here, they heard the sound of a dirt bike immediately and they looked to their left and they saw just that — somebody on a dirt bike on the Capitol grounds,” said Lt. Nick Bricker with UHP.
Bricker said two troopers rushed over to stop the driver, but he “refused to stop.”
Troopers said the driver, 20-year-old Jamin Dustin Jenkins, fled a traffic stop near 1300 South and State Street only 15 minutes prior.
“Male in a dirt bike, headed northbound on State Street,” troopers said in an audio recording obtained from Broadcastify. “I’m not pursuing.”
Once again, Jenkins refused to stop, but this time, Bricker said “they kind of got stuck on a wheel chair accessible ramp with the motorcycle.”
“The trooper jumped over the wall to head him off and get him to stop,” he said.
Instead, troopers said Jenkins revved his engine.
“He verbally says no and then accelerates towards the trooper,” said Bricker.
The trooper moved to get out of the way.
“As best as he can as the motorcycle is accelerating towards him and is unable to get his right leg out of the way here, and the motorcycle runs right over his right foot and up the bottom part of his right leg,” said Bricker.
The wounded trooper still managed to stop Jenkins.
“And he tries to grab the driver, who hits this side of the wall,” said Bricker.
The trooper — a two-year veteran — was rushed to the hospital.
“There’s a trooper there hit by a motorcycle,” troopers said on the recording.
He suffered several injuries to his arms, legs and right foot, but no broken bones.
“You hope your guys are safe and they can get home to their families,” said Bricker.
The trooper has an appointment on Monday to see a foot specialist.
As for the suspect, Jenkins has a criminal record, including drunk driving.
Police suspect he was drunk during the incident. He faces felony charges, including an aggravated assault charge, for injuring the trooper.
