Alcohol allegedly played a role in a three-car accident south of St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center on Saturday night that sent three people to the hospital.
According to Blaine County Sheriff's Lt. Jay Davis, eyewitness reports stated that one of the drivers, Hailey resident Justin Ray Allen, 20, was traveling south on state Highway 75 at about 8:45 p.m. when he veered off the highway and struck a wooden post and electrical box. Davis said officers found paint smeared on the post and electrical box matching the color of Allen's vehicle, a maroon 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck.
Stanley resident Dia Terese, 64, northbound in a Suzuki SUV, reported to officers that she spotted a southbound vehicle heading toward her in her lane. Terese told officers she tried to swerve off the highway but the maneuver was too late and Allen's pickup struck the rear of her SUV. Terese was treated at St. Luke's and released.
Davis said another northbound vehicle directly behind Terese's, a red 1992 Mercury Tracer driven by Augusto Leiva-Aquirre, 30, of Hailey, was unable to avoid Allen's truck and collided with it head-on. Both collisions occurred near The Meadows trailer park.
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Davis said Leiva-Aquirre suffered a severely broken leg. He was reported in stable condition at St. Luke's on Tuesday.
Allen was also transported to the hospital, where he was treated for a laceration above one of his eyes, Davis said.
He said Allen was taken into custody for alleged aggravated DUI, a felony, and leaving the scene of an accident, a misdemeanor. The sheriff's office is awaiting the results of a blood alcohol test, which may take several weeks.
Allen was arraigned on the two charges Monday in 5th District Court in Hailey. He was released the same day from Blaine County jail after posting a $50,000 bond.
A preliminary hearing, at which the prosecution will be required to show probable cause to justify the DUI charge against Allen, has been set for Tuesday, April 20.
Jason Kauffman: jkauffman@mtexpress.com
Justin Ray Allen
