Police Arrest Drunk Driver After Leaving Car Wash
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
| by Travis Uresk | July 1st 2026 |
Vernal, Utah (6/26/26)—Vernal Police responded to the Velocity Car Wash at 1607 West US 40 following reports of a reckless driver. The complainant informed officers that the driver had entered the automatic car wash and appeared to be drunk.
An employee noted that the driver appeared disoriented and had difficulty speaking. The driver entered the wash, but instead of shifting into neutral as instructed, he drove through the facility and left the premises. One witness managed to obtain the vehicle's license plate, which was shared with law enforcement.
While officers were gathering statements at the car wash, the vehicle was spotted traveling west on SR-40 in front of the establishment, pointed out by a witness. The truck was registered to an individual in Roosevelt, Utah.
Officer Roth quickly left the parking lot to pursue the vehicle heading west on SR-40. Upon catching up, the officer confirmed the license plate matched the previous report and initiated a traffic stop at milepost 137.5.
When asked if he had been at the car wash, the driver acknowledged that he had. The officer observed two juveniles inside the vehicle, whom the driver claimed were his children, and said he was taking them home. When asked for his driver's license, he stated he did not have one but provided his name as 49-year-old Gregory Chauncy Checora.
A records check revealed that Checora’s license had been revoked due to an alcohol offense, and he was classified as an alcohol-restricted driver, required to have an ignition interlock device that was not present in the vehicle. The vehicle was then subject to mandatory impoundment.
Checora exited the car when asked. Based on witness accounts and the smell of alcohol, Officer Roth questioned him about drinking, to which Checora admitted he had.
The officer requested that Checora perform field sobriety tests, and he agreed. However, during the standardized evaluations, including the HGN, Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand, he failed to pass any without showing clear signs of impairment.
Checora was arrested and taken to Uintah County Jail by Cpl. Maughan, where a breathalyzer test indicated a blood alcohol content of .142.
An inventory search of the vehicle revealed an open container of alcohol and a half-empty bottle of Crown Royal beside the driver’s seat.
Checora faced several charges, including third-degree felony DUI due to prior offenses, two counts of DUI with a passenger under 16, operating as an alcohol-restricted driver, driving with a revoked license, failure to have an ignition interlock device, and possession of an open container.
Traffic and Criminal Report
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