David Tyler Regnier, a 67-year-old resident of Bend, Oregon, was found guilty by a federal jury on May 21 for assaulting a federal employee with a dangerous weapon. The trial took place over three days under the supervision of U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin.
The incident occurred on September 18, 2024, near Canyon Junction in Yellowstone National Park during road construction activities. According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial, two park employees were managing traffic when they observed Regnier driving his jeep in the wrong direction to bypass waiting vehicles. Expressing dissatisfaction with the traffic management, Regnier was instructed by one employee to reverse his vehicle. Meanwhile, another employee stood in front of the jeep holding a stop sign. Despite this, Regnier accelerated his vehicle into the employee, forcing him backward until he managed to jump out of harm's way after being struck.
Following this incident, Yellowstone National Park Service law enforcement officers apprehended and arrested Regnier.
Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie I. Sprecher commented on the case stating, “Our office will take a strong stance against the frequent acts of violence directed at public servants who are merely doing their jobs to protect the community.”
Regnier's sentencing is scheduled for August 7, 2025. He could face up to 20 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and may incur fines up to $250,000 along with a $100 special assessment.
The investigation was conducted by National Park Service law enforcement officers and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook.
