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MIDVALE — An intoxicated and unlicensed driver was arrested Monday after causing a four-car crash that sent three people to the hospital, according to police.
Unified police were called to the area of 7700 South and 125 West just after 6 p.m. on a report of a four-vehicle crash. Witnesses told officers that a Volkswagen Tiguan "was traveling east on 7200 South at a speed exceeding the speed limit" when it hit a car waiting to make a left turn, "subsequently causing a four-vehicle accident. It should be noted that there were three people taken to the hospital due to injuries," a police booking affidavit states.
Police questioned the driver of the Volkswagen, Javier Rivero Rodriguez, 30, and detected he "had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. Javier was slurring his speech and had a hard time keeping his balance while standing," according to the affidavit.
In his vehicle, officers reported finding 12 containers of alcohol, some of them empty. Police also learned Rodriguez does not have a valid driver's license or insurance, the affidavit says.
He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of three counts of negligently operating a vehicle causing serious injury, speeding, making an improper lane change, not having a license and not having insurance.
Updated conditions of the three people taken to the hospital were not immediately available.
