This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The man accused of driving while intoxicated and killing three members of a Cedar Hills family on Christmas Eve was charged Thursday with three counts of automobile homicide, a third-degree felony.
Carlos Rodolfo Prieto, 24, also faces two third-degree felony counts of causing bodily injury while driving under the influence and one class A misdemeanor count of causing bodily injury while DUI, according to a complaint filed Thursday in 3rd District Court.
In addition, prosecutors charged him with one count of failing to have a driver's license.
According to the charges and Murray police, Prieto ran a red light as he drove north on 700 West on Sunday through the 5400 South intersection about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. His pickup truck struck the Ceran family's westbound car, killing Cheryl Ceran, 47, and two of her children, 15-year-old Ian and 7-year-old Julianna.
Injured in the crash were Cheryl Ceran's husband, Gary Ceran, 45, their daughter, Clarissa, 19, and a son, Caleb, 12, all of whom have been released from the hospital, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Prieto admitted to drinking five beers before driving his pickup, police said. He "had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, slurred speech and distinct nystagmus [rapid movement of the eyeball]," according to the charges.
A preliminary blood sample drawn by a paramedic showed his blood alcohol level to be in excess of the legal limit, according to the charges. Final results are pending a toxicology report.
Jail records indicate Prieto had at least two other drunken driving arrests.
A Saturday matinee of "See How They Run" at Hale Center Theatre in West Valley City will benefit the Ceran family, which lost three of its members to a traffic accident Sunday. The theater, where Gary Ceran played Bob Cratchit in "A Christmas Carol," will hold two sold-out benefit shows tonight. Tickets to Saturday's matinee are $15 and can be purchased by calling 801-984-9000.