Man Arrested For Road Rage Incident in Lehi
Police arrested a Salt Lake man accused of shooting two people during a road rage incident on the I-15 freeway Monday.
Police have arrested a suspect involved in the road rage incident that shut down the I-15 freeway in Lehi on Monday. According to KSL News, Jesse David Luker, 31, of Salt Lake City, was arrested and booked into Utah County Jail on charges of five counts of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and reckless endangerment.
Jesse David Luker, 31, of Salt Lake City, was booked into the Utah County Jail on Monday night, Jan. 25, 2021, for investigation of five counts of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm from a vehicle and reckless endangerment. Troopers say he shot two people on I-15 during a road rage incident.
The situation unfolded Monday morning, January 25, 2021, on southbound I-15 in Lehi when drivers of two trucks—a white 2019 Ram driven by George Ruiz-Acosta and a black lifted 2010 Chevy Silverado driven by Luker—began swerving at each other. The tension escalated until Luker rolled down his passenger-side window, pulled out a gun, and opened fire on the white truck while driving approximately 70 mph. Luker later claimed he was “aiming at the tires,” but bullets struck the driver and the rear driver-side passenger.
Despite his injuries, Ruiz-Acosta managed to execute a PIT maneuver on Luker’s truck, causing it to crash into the median and become disabled. Ruiz-Acosta then exited the freeway and drove to IHC American Fork Hospital, where he and his passenger were treated. The driver’s injuries were not life-threatening, while the passenger required surgery due to gunshot wounds. Luker was taken into custody, and prosecutors are also considering potential charges against Ruiz-Acosta.
From a legal perspective, individuals who provoke or escalate road rage incidents can be held criminally and civilly liable for resulting injuries and damages. While Luker clearly bears responsibility for firing a weapon, questions remain about whether Ruiz-Acosta may have contributed to the situation. Interestingly, his PIT maneuver was executed so effectively it raises the question of whether he has a law enforcement background. Without that intervention, Luker might have fled the scene after committing a serious felony.
One thing is certain: the backseat passenger who was shot is an innocent victim. He may have legal claims not only against Luker but also potentially against Ruiz-Acosta if the latter played any role in escalating the road rage incident.
Ron Kramer is a trial lawyer practicing law in West Jordan and throughout Utah.
