CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

Salt Lake City man charged with attempted murder following road rage incident

Feb 3, 2021, 12:19 PM | Updated: Dec 29, 2022, 12:57 pm

Troopers with Utah Highway Patrol are looking for a man suspected in a reported road rage incident ...

Troopers with Utah Highway Patrol are looking for a man suspected in a reported road rage incident on I-15. (PHOTO: KSL Newsradio's John Wojcik)

(PHOTO: KSL Newsradio's John Wojcik)

LEHI, Utah — A Salt Lake City man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection to a Utah County road rage incident.

Road rage turns into attempted murder

31-year-old Jesse David Luker was charged in 4th District Court with three counts of attempted murder, a second-degree felony; discharge of a firearm resulting in serious injury, a first-degree felony; and two more counts of discharge of a firearm, one second-degree felony and one third-degree felony.

The road rage incident occurred on January 25 around 7:30 a.m. According to police, two pickup trucks were traveling south on I-15 near Lehi.

Charging documents state that Luker was “tailgating” the other vehicle in the HOV lane. The driver of the pickup, which had five people inside, reportedly started to brake several times.

Eventually, Luker fired four to five rounds into the driver’s side of the pickup truck. The charges state that the victim pulled all the way to the right shoulder, although Luker “continued to move closer to the victim’s vehicle and fired five more rounds into the victim’s vehicle.”

The driver and a passenger were injured and drove straight to a hospital in American Fork to receive treatment. 

Violent road rage incidents on the rise

According to Lieutenant Nick Street, with Utah Highway Patrol, violent road rage incidents have been on the rise for almost a year.

“In 2020, we had right around 31 aggravated assault charges screened for brandishing and road rage,” he explains. “In 2019, that number was 16.”

Additionally, troopers near Beaver County have reported seven to eight brandishing cases just recently.

“They had the firearm and admitted to showing the firearm,” explains Lt. Street. “There were differing reasons why, but what people don’t understand is that is an aggravated assault.”

Cops say if you’re confronted while driving, the best thing to do is slow down or exit the freeway entirely. If not, you may run the risk of provoking a violent encounter.

“It’s going to result in some sort of verbal altercation or a continued altercation on our roads,” he explains. “As a trooper, when I investigated these incidents and people told me, ‘There was nothing I could do,’ that’s hard for me to believe.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Crime, Police + Courts

AI being used to detect guns...

Allessandra Harris

AI used to detect guns and keep schools safe during shooting situations

From writing essays to generating art, now AI is detecting guns and helping keep schools safe in shooting situations.

21 hours ago

Salt Lake City police say one person is in custody and one person was critically injured following ...

Mark Jones

SLCPD: One person in custody following a stabbing

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City police say one person is in custody following a stabbing late Thursday afternoon. The stabbing occurred in the area of 1875 S. Redwood Road. Police say the victim is in critical condition. The events that led up to the stabbing are unclear.  The investigation into the incident is […]

21 hours ago

bodies found in West Jordan home...

Mark Jones

Woman barricades herself inside West Jordan home, then arrested

A woman has barricaded herself inside a West Jordan home, according to police.

2 days ago

Thirty six year old Manuel Burciaga-Perea was extradited from Mexico City to Taylorsville, Utah aft...

Waverly Golden

Suspect in 2021 murder of radio host extradited to Utah from Mexico City

Thirty six year old Manuel Burciaga-Perea was extradited from Mexico City to Taylorsville, Utah after he fled the country following the murder of a popular Latina radio host Gabby Ramos in 2021. 

6 days ago

Lori Vallow Daybell stands and listens as the jury's verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse i...

LARRY D. CURTIS

Lori Daybell’s defense team files for new murder trial

The legal team for convicted murderer Lori Vallow Daybell filed paperwork Thursday, citing three reasons for a new trial under Idaho law.

6 days ago

A car crashed into a home, killing a man Thursday, May 25,2023. (Jay Hancock/KSL TV)...

Aimee Cobabe, KSL NewsRadio and Shelby Lofton, KSL TV

Man killed in West Valley crash was visiting elderly neighbor

Neighbors told KSL TV this was a quiet neighborhood, until yesterday when it turned into chaos. Thursday night, a 15-year-old in a stolen car crashed into a house, killing a man.

6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Salt Lake City man charged with attempted murder following road rage incident