Hunter
10/09/23
A Cedar Rapids man was arrested Saturday night after allegedly leaving the scene of an accident and driving while intoxicated.
According to police, the incident took place near the intersection of Highway 6 East and Broadway Street just after 8:30pm, where 27-year-old Franklin Rivera Espinoza of Clover Drive SW was involved in a hit and run collision with another vehicle. Rivera Espinoza reportedly left the scene but was followed by a witness. A police officer located and stopped Rivera Espinoza, and he was identified as the person who left the scene.
Open containers of alcohol were allegedly seen in the vehicle, and an impaired driving investigation began. Rivera Espinoza reportedly had bloodshot watery eyes, impaired speech, unsteady balance, and had the odor of ingested alcohol. After failing field testing, a PBT showed his BAC above the legal limit to drive. A check of driving records found that Rivera Espinoza had no valid driver’s license.
He was charged with OWI first offense, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving without a valid license. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to a year in jail.