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San Juan police chief: Driver in fatal road rage crash was under the influence of alcohol and opiates

San Juan police chief: Driver in fatal road rage crash was under the influence of alcohol and opiates
8 months 5 days 1 hour ago Thursday, April 04 2024 Apr 4, 2024 April 04, 2024 3:24 PM April 04, 2024 in News - Local

A 40-year-old man was arraigned on an intoxication manslaughter charge Thursday afternoon in connection with a fatal crash, according to San Juan Police Chief Leandro Sifuentes.

Carlos Manuel Garcia Sancho was identified as the driver who was hospitalized in critical condition following a March 26 crash that killed one man.

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According to Sifuentes, a preliminary investigation determined Sancho had a 0.29 BAC, and was under the influence of alcohol and opiates at the time of the crash. 

Sancho was arraigned virtually and will be transported from the hospital to the county jail, Sifuentes added.

The crash happened at the 400 block of State Highway 495 on March 26.

The driver of an SUV — identified as Roberto Carlos Rios Rodriguez of San Juan — was found dead at the scene, according to Sifuentes. Sancho was the driver of a second vehicle involved in the crash was hospitalized in critical condition.

Roberto Victor Sotullo was previously identified as a third driver involved in the crash and was charged with collision involving death.

READ MORE: Man charged in fatal road rage incident claims he was being chased

According to a criminal complaint, Sotullo claimed he was being chased by the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado — now identified as Sancho — and was traveling at speeds of up to 109 miles per hour prior to the crash.

Sotullo told police he saw the crash happen and “was relieved and went home” without staying at the scene or calling authorities, the complaint states. 

Sancho is wheelchair bound following the crash, Sifuentes added. His bond was set at $75,000.

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