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.
mwestley@sltrib.com
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.
