Driver Faces DUI Charges After Revving Engine and Spinning Tires

| by Travis Uresk | July 5^th 2026 |

Vernal, Utah (7/3/26)—An officer on patrol along 100 N near 200 E heard an engine revving repeatedly.

He then spotted a red Challenger turning north onto 200 E, spinning its tires and accelerating rapidly, briefly losing sight of the vehicle as it sped away.

Officer Silcox located the Challenger again on 250 North, heading east on a dead-end road, and began moving toward it as he could hear the engine revving and the car accelerating.

Officer Silcox observed the vehicle traveling at 44 MPH in a 25 MPH zone. He initiated a stop, approached the driver’s side window, and detected the smell of alcohol. He requested the driver’s license, identifying him as 26-year-old Hector Mario Ruvalcaba III.

Hector was asked to perform Standard Field Sobriety Tests but did not pass.

Throughout the encounter, Hector was consistently confrontational with Officer Silcox. Three callers had reported him for reckless driving. One noted hearing the car speed past their home, another claimed the Challenger nearly struck his child, and a third mentioned being near the library when the vehicle revved its engine, cut them off, and the driver exited while displaying a firearm.

After his arrest, Hector told Officer Silcox that he had noticed police behind him and was attempting to evade them by taking back roads towards the Microtel.

Hector Ruvalcaba III was taken to Uintah County Jail and booked for driving under the influence, marking his first offense in ten years.