TAYLORSVILLE, Utah, Aug. 12, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Taylorsville police arrested a woman after an alleged drunken road rage incident involving collisions.
Mariela Skarlett Hernandez-Vasquez, 36, was arrested Sunday morning after dispatch received a call regarding a car hitting a motorcycle in a possible road rage incident.
A Taylorsville Police officer responded to 6885 S. Redwood Road in reference to a collision that occurred in the area of 6200 S. Redwood Road. The officer was alerted by a West Jordan PD officer on scene that the woman driving a Chevrolet Spark was “possibly intoxicated,” says an affidavit filed in the arrest of Hernandez.
The WJPD officer also told the Taylorsville officer that “the driver of a Chevrolet Spark was behind two motorcycles in the area of southbound Redwood Road near 6200 S. The driver of the Chevrolet Spark, Mariela Hernandez, was continuously honking the vehicle’s horn at the motorcycles for an unknown reason.”
The driver of the motorcycle thought his backpack was possibly unzipped, he told police, so he looked back to check and saw it was not.
“The driver of the motorcycle stated the Chevrolet Spark then passed the first motorcycle on the right and swerved it, but missed hitting it. The Chevrolet Spark then swerved at the second motorcycle and hit it on the front right side, causing minor damage.
“The Chevrolet Spark continued driving southbound on Redwood Road after striking the motorcycle, and hit the rear end of a Hyundai Veloster, that was stopped at a red traffic light at 6200 S. After striking the Hyundai, the Spark drove around the Veloster and left the scene while being followed by the motorcycles and Veloster.”
The Spark pulled into the apartment complex located at 6885 S. Redwood Road, and almost hit the fire hydrant, according to the motorcycle driver.
“The Spark made a U-turn in the parking lot, driving over a curb, and onto the lawn, according to the motorcycle driver. The Spark was then blocked in the parking lot by vehicles, and a citizen who witnessed what was going on, reached in the Spark and removed the keys from the ignition. The driver of the Spark, Mariela Hernandez, exited the Spark, and told the other people involved she has been drinking.
“I asked the driver of the motorcycle if he had done anything to provoke the Spark honking at him or swerving at him and he told me no, that is why he thought his backpack was probably unzipped, and the driver of the Spark was trying to let him know. I asked the driver of the motorcycle if he thought the Spark swerved at him and hit him intentionally, and he told me it was absolutely intentional.”
The Taylorsville Police officer talked to Hernandez next.
“While speaking with Mariela, I could smell the odor of alcohol on her breath, and her speech was slurred. I told Mariela I can smell the odor of alcohol on her breath, at which time she told me she has been drinking shots. I told Mariela she could have hurt or killed someone today, and she didn’t think it was very serious.
“I placed Mariela under arrest for DUI and road rage at that point.”
Hernandez consented to a blood alcohol test. Results are pending.
Hernandez was jailed for investigation of:
- Aggravated assault, a third-degree felony
- Driving under the influence, first offense in 10 years, a class B misdemeanor
- Two counts of failure to comply with duties at vehicle accident with property damage, a class B misdemeanor
- Open container in a vehicle on highway, a class C misdemeanor
Charges will be determined by the Salt Lake District Attorney’s Office.
Hernandez was ordered held without bail.
