At a Glance
- Jack Wilcoxon, 34, was fatally hit by an on-duty Utah Highway Patrol trooper while walking with his wife on Jan. 7
- The crash happened at 9:40 p.m. near Lake Mountain Road and Pole Canyon Boulevard in Eagle Mountain, Utah
- The trooper, not publicly identified, was placed on administrative leave; the case will go to the Utah County Attorney’s Office
- Why it matters: A routine walk ended in tragedy, raising questions about trooper safety protocols
Jack Wilcoxon, a 34-year-old father of three, died after a Utah Highway Patrol trooper struck him during an evening walk with his wife in Eagle Mountain, Utah. The incident occurred on Jan. 7 at approximately 9:40 p.m. local time near the intersection of Lake Mountain Road and Pole Canyon Boulevard, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
The Incident
Wilcoxon was walking on the street with his wife when the trooper’s vehicle hit him. The trooper was on-duty but not responding to an emergency at the time. Wilcoxon died at the scene; his wife and the trooper survived.
- Location: Lake Mountain Road and Pole Canyon Boulevard, Eagle Mountain
- Time: Jan. 7, 9:40 p.m.
- Victim: Jack Wilcoxon, 34, local resident
- Survivors: Wife (name withheld) and trooper (name withheld)
Family and Community Response
A GoFundMe campaign launched for Wilcoxon’s wife and their three children-ages 8, 10, and 15-described him as “the heart of his family” and “deeply involved in his children’s lives.”
“Jack died after being struck by a Utah Highway Patrol vehicle, leaving Mandie and her children to carry a loss no family should have to endure,” the organizer wrote, calling him a “loving father, husband and veteran.”
As of Friday, Jan. 16, the fundraiser had raised over $7,000.
Investigation and Protocol
The Utah Department of Public Safety confirmed to News Of Losangeles that the trooper has been placed on administrative leave. A spokesperson for the department noted this action follows standard protocol for all officers involved in critical incidents.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and will forward findings to the Utah County Attorney’s Office for review. The office did not immediately respond to News Of Losangeles‘s request for additional comment.
Key Takeaways
- A father of three died during a routine walk steps from his home
- The trooper was on routine patrol, not emergency response
- Standard leave procedures are in place while investigators determine what led to the crash
- The family relies on community support through a verified GoFundMe campaign
