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SANDY — Prosecutors say a Midvale man who caused a four-car crash that involved serious injuries had four times the legal blood alcohol limit at the time of the accident.
Burlie Graham, 52, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with DUI and failing to remain at the scene of a serious injury accident, both third-degree felonies; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a class A misdemeanor; reckless driving and causing an accident with property damage, both class B misdemeanors.
On May 23, Graham was driving a Dodge pickup when he rear-ended a vehicle stopped at a light near 9400 South and 1100 East, according to charging documents. Graham then tried to go around the car he hit and do a U-turn. In doing so, he hit another vehicle which he pushed into a third vehicle, the charges state. Graham then drove over the median into on-coming traffic and took off, according to the charges.
One man hit by Graham had to be extricated from his vehicle. He was treated at a local hospital for broken ribs and a broken tibia and had to have a metal plate inserted in his leg, the charges state.
Witnesses saw Graham drive a short distance, park his truck, and then get out of his truck while holding a beer bottle that he threw away, according to the charges.
Police found Graham in a parking lot, and he spontaneously said, "I know I (expletive) up," the charges state. Officers noted that Graham was having a hard time maintaining his balance as well as a "very strong odor of alcohol" on his breath, according to the charges.
"I am so (expletive) drunk," Graham told an officer, the charges state.
Graham's blood alcohol content was measured at 0.20%, or four times the legal limit. He was convicted of DUI in 2013, the charges state.
