Accident injures several, leads to DUI arrest

By Bruce Whetten

Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 9:45 PM MDT


Speed and alcohol are believed to have been a factor in a two-vehicle accident early Sunday morning that sent several people to the hospital.


According to Sgt. Jose Duarte of the Douglas Police Dept. the accident took place around 4:30 a.m. near the intersection of Washington and 15th Street.

Duarte said a Chevy Impala was traveling west on 15th Street, approaching Washington Ave. when it failed to stop at the four-way stop sign and struck a truck that was at the intersection turning onto 15th from Washington.

“It (the truck) was either side swiped or rear ended,” Duarte said. “Both vehicles were headed west when it happened.”

The truck eventually rolled onto its side as a result of the collision injuring two people inside. The two occupants, ages 20 and 17, had to be extricated by the Douglas Fire Department’s Jaws of Life.

The Impala continued west crashing into the yard of a residence on Mission Dr. clipping a car that was parked in the driveway.

Sgt. Duarte said three people were inside the Impala. The driver, Calep Arrellano Mendoza, 18, was treated at the scene by Douglas Fire Dept. personnel and later arrested. He is currently at the Cochise County Jail on charges of multiple counts of endangerment, aggravated assault and extreme DUI.

Mendoza had two other male juveniles, ages 16 and 17, with him at the time of the accident. They were transported to Southeast Arizona Medical Center with non life threatening injuries.

“Speed and alcohol were factor’s in this accident,” Sgt. Duarte said.

Sgt. Duarte said the two injured parties in the truck were both flown to Tucson with multiple injuries, one of which appeared to be non-life threatening but very serious condition.

 

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Shocked wrote on Jul 20, 2012 8:49 PM:

    " Never had a seen a car accident like that in town!! Unbelievable... It looked like one that would only happen on the freeway. If it would've not been that the passengers were in a truck, I have no idea if they'd be as well as they are right now, or they would even be here!! "

    To Face Facts wrote on Jul 20, 2012 8:57 AM:

    " "Choices" "

    Face Facts wrote on Jul 19, 2012 1:03 PM:

    " I don't consider it sad what Calep Mendoza did. I don't know him or any of his family. But consider this, he chose to drive drunk, every 18 year old knows better, they just chose to ignore common sense. They know the courts will not punish them like they deserve.
    This young man should be made fully acountable for his choises. And let this be an example to all other people who are thinking about making the same choises. "

    What a waste... wrote on Jul 19, 2012 12:35 AM:

    " Dang, Sad way to start a young life. Barely 18 just graduated High School, now to be entering prison because of inability to avoid underage drinking and driving. "

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