Police arrest two underage drinkers in the McDonald’s Parking lot
- Travis Uresk
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
by Travis Uresk
6-30-25
| Vernal, Ut. | June 28th, 2025 |
At 5:00 a.m., police were dispatched to McDonald's, located at 1050 W US-40 in Vernal. The complainant stated that individuals in a dark-colored vehicle had open containers of Arnold Palmer while at the drive-thru.
The officer arrived at McDonald’s and located the gray Hyundai parked in a waiting stall for the drive-thru.
Cpl. McCurdy approached the Hyundai and identified a 19-year-old male, Camden Isaiah Escalante, standing outside the vehicle on the passenger side, talking to an 18-year-old female passenger, Teddie Morningstar Serawop.
While the officer was standing next to the vehicle, he could see the open cans of Arnold Palmer containers and could smell the order of alcohol coming from the car. Camden initially denied consumption of alcohol and then consented to Standard Field Sobriety Tests.
Camden was instructed multiple times to properly raise his foot approximately six inches and count out loud. After a short time, Camden refused to complete the test.
While speaking with Teddie, she acknowledged she had consumed alcoholic beverages, and her eyes were red, glossy, and bloodshot, consistent with alcohol consumption. At one point, Teddie had to lean against the car to support her balance.
A records check of Camden's driver's license revealed he was an alcohol-restricted driver, and his license was suspended.
At the jail, Cpl. McCurdy read Camden the admonition for a chemical test and refused. Camden was read the refusal admonition, and he continued to refuse a chemical test.
A warrant was approved to obtain blood from Camden to determine his blood alcohol content and was provided a copy of the warrant. Camden refused to accept the service of the warrant, arguing that his driver's license wasn't suspended and that the Judge's official seal was not a valid signature.
Camden was booked into the Uintah County Jail and may post bail in the amount of $4,290.00.
Teddie was then transported to the Uintah County Jail and booked without incident, and later released.
Related article: A thief drives to 7-11 on a flat tire and steals two cases of beer. https://www.1nationjustice.com/post/a-thief-drives-to-7-11-on-a-flat-tire-and-steals-two-cases-of-beer
Penalties for Refusing a Breathalyzer, Blood, or Urine Test in Utah
Generally, motorists who don't immediately comply with an officer's request to take a chemical test are considered to have refused testing. Unlawful refusal will result in license suspension and possible criminal sanctions.
License Suspension for DUI Testing Refusals in Utah
After a driver refuses a chemical test, the officer is supposed to send notice of the refusal to the Utah Driver License Division. The division will revoke the driver's license for 18 months (36 months if the driver has any DUI or refusal suspensions within the last ten years).
Drivers who are younger than 21 years old face a two-year revocation (36 months if the driver has any prior DUI or refusal suspensions within the last ten years). However, these underage drivers who refuse to test generally can't reinstate their licenses until turning 21 years old.
A driver subject to license revocation can request an administrative hearing to dispute the revocation within ten days of the revocation notice. Also, in some situations, a driver can obtain a limited work license after completing one year of the revocation.
Utah's Ignition Interlock Restrictions for Implied Consent Violators
Drivers who refuse chemical testing will also be deemed "interlock restricted drivers" for three years. Generally, this designation prohibits the operation of any vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock device (IID).
Utah Prosecutions Can Use a Refusal Against a Driver at a DUI Trial
The fact that a driver refused to submit to testing can be used against the driver during a DUI criminal trial. While refusal doesn't exactly prove intoxication, prosecutors often argue a refusal is indicative that the person was trying to hide intoxication.
Utah Criminal Charges for Refusing a DUI Breathalyzer or Urine Test
Generally, a driver can't be charged with a crime for refusing to take a DUI blood test. However, if police obtain a warrant from a court, the driver is required to submit to blood testing. And, refusing to take a blood test in violation of the court warrant is a crime in Utah.
A criminal refusal is generally a class B misdemeanor but will be a third-degree felony if the offender has two prior DUIs or refusals within the last ten years or a prior felony DUI conviction. In addition to the penalties that would normally be imposed for a DUI conviction, a criminal blood test refusal carries a number of other consequences. These additional consequences include a $100 fine, 24 hours in jail, and possibly an IID requirement during probation, ankle transdermal monitoring, and house arrest with electronic monitoring.
A criminal refusal will also designate the offender as an "alcohol restricted driver" (ARD). An ARD is not allowed to drive with any amount of alcohol in his or her system. A misdemeanor refusal will result in a five-year ARD designation and a felony refusal results in a ten-year ARD designation. An ARD violation is a class B misdemeanor.
A misdemeanor refusal conviction will also result in an additional 18-month interlock restricted driver designation (three years if under 21). A felony refusal results in a six-year interlock restricted driver designation.
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