SALT LAKE CITY — Authorities have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with a deadly crash over the weekend that claimed the life of one person and injured several others. The suspect, Colby William Bia, has a history of DUI convictions and was found to be driving with a suspended license at the time of the incident.
The crash occurred Saturday evening, April 5, around 7:15 p.m. near 900 West and 200 South. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, Bia allegedly ran a red light and collided with another vehicle, triggering a three-car pileup.
The driver of the vehicle struck by Bia, identified as 42-year-old Ernesto Puga, was pronounced dead at the scene. A juvenile passenger in Puga’s vehicle was transported to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Two other individuals involved in the crash were treated at the scene by emergency crews.
Police said they discovered multiple open alcohol containers in Bia’s vehicle and noted that he appeared intoxicated. When officers attempted to obtain a blood sample, Bia reportedly resisted, prompting them to secure a warrant for the test. According to arrest documents, Bia admitted to consuming alcohol at his workplace prior to driving.
Bia was booked into Salt Lake County Metro Jail and is now facing nine charges, including:
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Automobile homicide (second-degree felony)
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Causing injury while operating a vehicle with prior DUI convictions (third-degree felony)
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Obstruction of justice (third-degree felony)
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Assault by prisoner (third-degree felony)
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Interfering with a peace officer (class B misdemeanor)
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Possession of an open alcohol container (class C misdemeanor)
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Driving on a suspended license (class B misdemeanor)
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Alcohol-restricted driver violation (class B misdemeanor)
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Failure to obey a traffic signal (infraction)
Records indicate Bia had outstanding warrants for prior DUI-related offenses and has multiple convictions for driving under the influence over the past decade.
Authorities emphasized that all charges are preliminary, and Bia is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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