Vehicle stopped for a non-working taillight, driver arrested for DUI
- Travis Uresk
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
By Travis Uresk
4-13-25
| Vernal, Ut. | April 11th, 2025 |
A Vernal City Police Officer was leaving the parking lot of the Vernal City building at 374 West Main Street when a green car passed by him.
The tail lights on the vehicle were not illuminated, so the officer began to follow the car. The car approached the 500 East Main Street intersection and entered the parking lot of 7-Eleven.
Officer Boren activated his emergency lights to stop the vehicle, and it continued until it was parked in a stall in front of the store. He approached the vehicle and notified 24-year-old Hector Daniel Valdez-Acosta that he stopped him because his taillights were not working.
Hector stated he didn't speak English, but Officer Boren obtained a voter registration card out of Mexico and nothing else. The officer noted a distinct odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle, as well as Hector's eyes being glossy and bloodshot. The officer then asked Hector if he had anything to drink, but he said he didn't and couldn't speak English.
Another officer was asked to respond to translate, and Officer Boren told the occupants of the vehicle that a translator was on the way and that they were not free to leave.
Once Officer Candelas arrived on scene, both occupants were removed from the vehicle, they began the standardized field sobriety tests to determine if Hector was safe to drive.
After the field sobriety test, a breath sample was obtained after waiting 15 minutes for Baker time, and a reading of .130 was received.
Officer Nielson was completing an inventory search of the vehicle, and an open container of Bud Light was located in the back center console. Officer Candelas interviewed the passenger of the vehicle, and he disclosed that they had been drinking since 5 pm.
The officers determined that Hector was under the influence of alcohol, and rendered him incapable of safely operating a vehicle. He is charged with driving Under the influence, first offense.
Due to the fact that Hector did not have nor did he ever obtain a driver's license or provide a license, he is charged with no valid license.
Due to the fact that Hector possessed and transported an open container of alcohol within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and the can was partially consumed, he is charged with an open container.
Hector Daniel Valdez-Acosta may post bail in the amount of $2,070.00.
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