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LEHI — A cement truck driver was arrested Wednesday after police say he intentionally ran two red lights and then crashed into another vehicle, killing a Salt Lake County sheriff's deputy on his way to work.
Jonas Hyrum Faamausili, 26, of West Jordan, was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of manslaughter, reckless driving and failing to have operative brakes on a commercial vehicle.
About 6 a.m. on Nov. 12, Faamausili was driving a cement truck on Redwood Road when at the Mountain View Corridor he "deliberately ran through two red lights, failing to try to brake or stop for either," according to a police booking affidavit. "On review of the dash camera that was in his vehicle, he was traveling slightly above the speed limit and doesn't try to brake for either red light."
The large truck crashed into a passenger vehicle, killing Joel Baker, 33, a Salt Lake County sheriff's deputy who was on his was to work.
"Due to him failing to even attempt to stop for either red light, which were red for several seconds prior to him entering either intersection, I believe he was operating a nearly 80,000-pound vehicle recklessly taking the life of another," the arresting officer wrote in the affidavit.
An inspection of the cement truck after the crash found that more than 20% if its brakes were not operable, the affidavit states.
Two GoFundMe campaigns were started by friends and coworkers to help pay for funeral expenses as well as to provide support to Baker's wife and young son.
"Everyone who knew Joel knew what a kind and giving individual he was. Always helping others and never asking for anything in return. He was the life of the party, always up to hang out and spend time with people. He will be greatly missed!" one fundraiser states.
Prior to working with the sheriff's office, Baker worked with the Utah Department of Corrections.
