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Sandra Yi and Andrew Adams ReportingA man in a stolen car tried to elude police and ended up in the hospital. The suspect was in a stolen car and running from police this morning when he collided with a pick-up at the intersection at 5300 South and State Street. Not only was he a risk to other drivers, but he's someone police couldn't believe was out on the street.
It was deja-vu for some of the officers at the crash scene overnight.
Capt. Tracy Tingey, So. Salt Lake Police Dept.: "I was just dumbstruck. It was amazing to me."
The man behind the wheel of the car was Orlando Roybal. He's the same man who, just seven days ago, led police on a chase in a stolen truck, with his own son in the vehicle.
Tracy Tingey: "It becomes very frustrating because they had just gone through this and escaped any serious injury last week with this guy."
Court records confirm Roybal is a repeat offender. On October 6th he was arrested for having a stolen car. 13 days later, Roybal was back on the streets after posting a 20 thousand dollar bond.
Then, last Friday, Roybal was arrested again after he broke into cars and then led police on a chase in a stolen truck. His girlfriend and several kids were in the vehicle. Police say he was out on bail four days later.
Then, this morning, Roybal eluded police again while driving a stolen car. It ended with a crash at the intersection of 5300 South and State Street.
Tracy Tingey: "Luckily, there were no children involved."
Police say offenders have a right to bail and it's rare for judges to deny bail to suspects like Roybal, who aren't accused of violent crimes like murder or sex abuse. They admit, it's not a perfect system.
Tracy Tingey: "I can't fault the system. I would have liked to see him in jail until he went to trial, but that's not the way the system works in this country."
The driver involved in the crash this morning was not seriously hurt. Roybal and his passenger were taken to the hospital. Police say if Roybal survives, he'll go to jail again, and hopefully stay there for a long time.
