By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – Juan Sandoval couldn’t recall how much he had to drink before rolling his vehicle near the intersection of 8th Avenue and Discovery Park Boulevard early Saturday morning, but he did mention visiting multiple watering holes throughout the evening.
According to a Safford Police report, Sandoval, 36, of Safford, failed to negotiate the curve in the road near the intersection at about 12:50 a.m. and rolled his vehicle so that it came to rest on the walking path.
Sandoval and his passenger, Daniela Luisa Arbizo, 29, of Safford, were both initially taken to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center for treatment. Arbizo was then flown out to Banner-University Medical Center Tucson for treatment of a severe neck injury.
Sandoval allegedly told an officer that he was driving with his girlfriend, Arbizo, as a passenger and that they were having a verbal argument. He said the argument never became physical but that he couldn’t remember the details of the crash.
When speaking with Sandoval, the officer noted an odor of an alcoholic beverage on Sandoval’s breath as well as slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, according to the report.
After being informed he was under arrest for DUI and blood was taken for testing purposes, Sandoval allegedly admitted to drinking “four or five beers” throughout his evening, which included visiting at least three different bars. Sandoval was later released from the hospital.
The officer noted the report would be forwarded to the Graham County Attorney’s Office for charging along with blood test results. Sandoval may also face an additional charge of misconduct involving weapons as a loaded AR-15 rifle was located in the vehicle’s trunk and an empty AR-15 magazine was found on the front driver’s seat. The officer noted he could not locate a manufacturer name or serial number on the rifle, and it was secured at the Safford Police Department.
