Victim Rights Committee hears complaint filed by family of man killed in road rage incident

WASATCH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — The Victim Rights Committee heard a complaint filed by the family of Patrick Hayes, a man who was reportedly shot during a road rage incident last year.

61-year-old Patrick L Hayes was found deceased near the Jordanelle Reservoir last year. Law enforcement determined that Hayes had been fatally shot at the scene at approximately 11 p.m. on September 25, 2024.

In December of 2024, police arrested Greg Kyle DeBoer, 61, who reportedly admitted to shooting Hayes in self-defense during a road rage incident. According to law enforcement, they believe that Hayes approached DeBoer’s car with a metal baton and a pocketknife in hand when DeBoer shot him.

Notably, DeBoer did not make any emergency calls to law enforcement after shooting Hayes and buried the gun near his house, which investigators found.

DeBoer was charged for obstruction of justice with capital/first degree felony conduct and the road rage criminal enhancement.

Following the charges, Patrick Hayes’ family filed a complaint asking for a thorough review of the prosecution into his death by the Wasatch County Attorney’s Office (WCAO), Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and Fourth District Court.

The Victim Rights Committee heard the complaint and ruled that there was enough evidence to suggest that the family’s rights may have been violated.

Filed complaint

One of the main issues that the Hayes families’ Victim Representatives (VRs) brought up is that there was inconsistent and inadequate communication from the WCAO and WCSO.

Reportedly, two of the main officers on the case were actively communicating with the family, but they were both removed from the investigation and told to cease communication with the Hayes family.

The Hayes family later learned that the officers were removed as part of an unrelated and broader investigation into the WCSO, which the VRs argue exhibits institutional dysfunction “that appears to have negatively influenced the treatment of the Hayes family.”

Additionally, emails and letters from the Hayes family to the WCAO have reportedly gone unanswered. According to the VRs, the WCAO did not communicate the decision to not file homicide charges against DeBoer to the Hayes family and did not tell them about a plea offer extended to DeBoer.

Under victim’s right laws, the government is required to notify victims of case updates and consider their input on sentencing and prosecution.

Another issue that the VRs brought up is that the Hayes family have allegedly been subject to intimidation and exclusion from the WCSO.

Reportedly, WCSO officers positioned themselves in the courtroom in ways that allow them to observe the Hayes family during hearings. According to the filed complaint, “This posturing has created a pervasive sense that the family is being treated not as grieving victims, but rather as individuals who are suspected of wrongdoing or deemed a threat.”

Additionally, a recent study into the WCSO reportedly found that officials worked to protect internal interests over public accountability.

The formal complaint was filed on September 25, 2025, and it was heard this week.

Victim Rights Committee hearing

On November 3, 2025, the Fourth District Victim Rights Committee heard arguments from the Hayes’ family and their victim’s representatives.

The Legislative Policy Council found that a member of the Hayes’ family was designated as a victim of the DeBoer’s alleged crime and should have been informed of court proceedings once that was determined on October 3, 2025.

Prior to the victim designation, though, the Council decided that the WCAO did not have a responsibility to notify Hayes’ family member. Thus, any complaints on incidents that occurred before that designation could not be considered.

Additionally, the council determined that there didn’t appear to be enough evidence showing that Hayes’ family was forced to be in close proximity to the defendant or his supporters.

However, the council also noted that those affected by crimes, either victims or their families, have a right to be notified of sentencing and charging decisions. They determined that there was enough in the complaint to indicate that there was a potential violation from the WCSO and WCAO on those counts.

Victims and their families also have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. The lack of communication could indicate a potential violation under some victim rights’ committees.

The committee determined that there were no violations under the Utah constitution, but that there were violations under designated victim’s rights.

Going forward, the Victim Rights Committee will hear additional information from the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office, Wasatch County Attorney’s Office, and from the Hayes family to determine if there were necessary obligations that officials did not meet.

They will also hold another hearing to discuss this issue in December 2025.