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SALT LAKE CITY -- Police say a Midvale man who was driving during a fatal crash lied about it to avoid going to jail. Two family members also allegedly blamed the victim in order to keep the driver out of jail.
According to the Deseret News, charges filed in 3rd District Court Tuesday indicate Julio Cesar Calderon, 23, had been drinking at his mother-in-law's house in Rose Park June 25. He then drove two teens in his uncle's car. He missed a curve in the road and crashed near 1600 West and North Star Dr. (300 North).
One of the passengers, 18-year-old Antonia Amador Solares, died and the other teen passenger was seriously injured.
Police say Calderon, his wife, Sandra Flores, and mother-in-law, Gregoria Solana Alcantar, all told officers Solares was driving. They claimed Calderon wasn't in the car. Alcantar said she hadn't seen him for a year. Flores said her husband was out of town with relatives.
Calderon later admitted to police his family lied to protect him and actually shuttled him away from the accident scene before police arrived.
Calderon now faces felony auto homicide and obstructing justice charges. His wife and mother-in-law also are charged with felony obstructing justice.
