By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
A 34-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after authorities say he crossed a highway median causing another vehicle to roll over before leaving the scene of the crash.
Jose Antonio Castro Rodriguez was booked into the Iron County Jail on suspicion of failing to remain at an accident involving injury, driving with a measurable amount of alcohol in his system while operating a vehicle subject to commercial restrictions, driving without a valid driver’s license and crossing a highway divider.
According to charging documents filed in 5th District Court in support of the arrest, the crash occurred June 3 on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 66.
Investigators allege Castro Rodriguez was driving a white GMC Sierra when he crossed through a highway median crossover and cut off a white Ford F-150. The driver of the Ford swerved to avoid a collision and the truck rolled over.
A passenger in the Ford sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Cedar City Hospital, according to court records.
Authorities later located and stopped the GMC Sierra. The driver allegedly told officers he left the scene because he was scared and did not have a valid driver’s license.
Officers said they detected the odor of alcohol coming from Castro Rodriguez and administered field sobriety tests. A portable breath test also reportedly showed a positive indication for alcohol.
Castro Rodriguez allegedly admitted to police crossing through the median and swerving to avoid hitting his vehicle.
“The Driver of the White GMC Sierra stated to an officer that he did cut through the median and did have knowledge that the other vehicle swerved to avoid colliding with him,” the affidavit states.
The vehicle Castro Rodriguez was operating was subject to commercial vehicle alcohol restrictions, meaning drivers are prohibited from operating such vehicles with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system.