The estranged ex of a Kearns, Utah resident was arrested for vehicle arson after going to her ex-boyfriend’s house and lighting two vehicles on fire.
Late-night bonfire
Photo by: Michael Pardo
The residents of a Kearns household awakened Thursday to find two of their vehicles and part of the garage on fire. An accelerant, most likely gasoline, had been poured onto a vehicle in the driveway and another on the street before being lit on fire. Both vehicles suffered several thousand dollars in damage and the garage near one vehicle suffered severe damage as well. Multiple neighbors turned in camera footage where a female was seen committing the vehicle arson before getting into her own car and taking off.
The one that got away
The camera footage collected from neighbors showed 27 year old Jessica Halee Wright, the ex-girlfriend to one of the residents of the home, as the sole suspect in the vehicle arson case. No reasoning was given as to why she set the cars on fire. Since both vehicles were not occupied at the time of the torching, she more than likely didn’t mean to cause any physical harm to anyone. She possibly started the fires out of anger toward her ex or his family who also occupied the home. It isn’t know how long ago the relationship with Wright and the resident ended, but one can assume they were not on good terms.
Photo by: Kate Ter Haar
Vehicle arson
Wright was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for arson. The charges for arson depend on the monetary value of the item burned and whether or not the property was a residence or an occupied vehicle or outbuilding. Since no one was inside the vehicles when Wright lit them on fire, and she will be facing arson and not aggravated arson charges. According to Utah Code 76-6-102, “A person is guilty of arson if . . . the person by means of fire or explosives unlawfully and intentionally damages . . . the property of another.” Since the damage to the vehicles and garage were greater than $5,000, Wright is facing second degree charges for vehicle arson.
Counselor before an attorney
Anyone facing a nasty breakup is encouraged to seek counseling to work through anger or betrayal issues before letting their issues turn into hostility and criminal activity. Those already facing trouble for their erroneous way of handling a soured relationship should seek legal counsel from a trusted attorney.
