Shooter in fatal road rage incident not charged with murder

Greg Kyle DeBoer, 62, admitted to shooting Patrick L. Hayes near the Ross Creek entrance of Jordanelle State Park on Sept. 25, 2024 during a road rage incident. Hayes’ body was discovered beside his car at approximately 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, by a passerby who called 911.

After the shooting, DeBoer buried the handgun and ammunition near his home and did not voluntarily come forward until being detained for questioning. Investigators identified DeBoer’s 2020 Jeep Gladiator as being in the area at the time of the shooting, corroborated by cell tower data. During a November interrogation, DeBoer admitted to the road rage shooting, claiming he acted in self-defense.

According to Wasatch County authorities security footage shows that, “Prior to Mr. Hayes’ death, he appears to have been involved in a road rage incident where he approached another vehicle and, with a metal baton and pocket knife in hand, aggressively called the other driver out of the vehicle.”

DeBoer was arrested on Dec. 23, 2024, and charged on Dec. 26 with obstructing justice, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. An affidavit of probable cause alleges DeBoer acted to hinder, delay, or prevent the investigation by burying the weapon and ammunition used in the incident. The court has ordered that DeBoer be held without bail with an initial hearing Friday Dec 27.