The Salt Lake City Police Department is once again issuing a stern warning against the perils of impaired driving following a dangerous, high-speed crash that involved four vehicles downtown, leaving one driver under arrest. "Driving impaired is an inexcusable and reckless decision that puts our entire community in danger," said Police Chief Mike Brown, as obtained by Salt Lake City Police Department. Brown highlighted the potentially life-altering injuries and emotional trauma that can result from these incidents, insisting on the necessity of planning and seeking safe transportation options.
The incident, which has prompted this new cautionary message, began when an officer encountered the aftermath of the collision at approximately 8:48 p.m. on Friday, January 24, just moments after it took place, a driver by the name of Cesar Rojas, whose only 18, drove well over the speed limit towards a red traffic signal where his vehicle collided with another car, causing a chain reaction that involved two more vehicles at the busy intersection one of the affected cars overturned, though miraculously the 22-year-old woman inside that car walked away with only minor injuries, later visiting the hospital for evaluation.
Initial investigations by the SLCPD, with the Motor Squad and crash investigation officers at the scene, determined that Rojas was impaired at the time of the accident. As a result, officers booked Rojas into the Salt Lake County Metro jail facing charges of driving under the influence and negligent operation of a vehicle resulting in injury while these allegations weigh heavily, as per the legal process, Rojas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
