Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OREM — Police say a repeat DUI offender caused a crash outside a state liquor store in Orem, injuring two Utah girls.
Police say 52-year-old Kenneth Stephens had stopped at the state liquor store at 1688 N. State Street.
Orem police say Stephens then pulled out of the parking lot without stopping or looking, and was hit broadside by a car driven by a 16-year-old girl. Her 12-year-old sister was in the passenger seat.
The girls were both hurt and were taken to the hospital.
“They were really shaken up and asking for their dad,” said Lt. Craig Martinez. “There was a little bit of blood, some bumps and bruises, but fortunately for them and their family they’re going to be OK.”
Police say Stephens was already drunk when he caused that crash with a blood alcohol level at .22, nearly three times the legal limit.
State liquor authorities say it is against the law to sell alcohol to someone showing signs of intoxication.
“We’re currently investigating because all of our employees are highly trained not to sell to anyone who shows signs of intoxication,” said Terry Wood with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. “They’re trained like a highway patrol trooper would be to watch for those signs. So we take this very seriously.”
Court records show Stephens has been arrested at least six times for DUI in the past and police say he is well known to them. He now faces more jail time if convicted and a judge will likely take his DUI past into account.
