Vehicular Homicide charges filed against driver in fatal Des Moines crash

DES MOINES, Iowa — A 28-year-old man who was allegedly driving drunk and fleeing a previous traffic accident when he crossed the center line and hitting another vehicle head on – killing the driver – is now facing a slew of charges, including Vehicular Homicide. Rogelio Olivares-Barreto was charged on Monday but remains hospitalized under guard, police say.

At around 8:03 p.m. on Saturday the Des Moines Police Department and Des Moines Fire Department responded to a report of a crash with injuries at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Holcomb Avenue. When first responders arrived on scene they found multiple people injured as well as an adult female, identified as 47-year-old Maria Elena Rodriguez , dead at the scene.

According to police, a 45-year-old woman and two boys – ages ten and seven – all remain hospitalized as of Tuesday.

An investigation into the crash revealed that a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 28-year-old Rogelio Olivares-Barreto, was traveling southbound on 2nd Avenue. Witnesses told investigators that the Silverado fled the scene of a crash at 2nd Avenue and Corning Avenue at a high-rate of speed. The Silverado crossed over into oncoming traffic and crashed into a northbound Toyota Sienna that contained Rodriguez and three others.

According to a search warrant application, Olivares-Barreto was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was found lying in the road. Authorities found an ID card from Mexico in his vehicle.

Olivares-Barreto has been charged with the following in connection to the crash with the Toyota Sienna:

• Homicide by Vehicle – OWI
• Homicide by Vehicle – Reckless Driving
• Serious Injury by Vehicle – OWI (three counts)
• Serious Injury by Vehicle – Reckless Driving (three counts)
• No Drivers License
• No Insurance

He is also facing the following charges in connection to the hit-and-run crash:

• Leaving The Scene Of An Injury Accident
• Fail To Stop Within Assured Clear Distance
• No Drivers License
• No Insurance

Police said Olivares-Barreto remains hospitalized under guard.

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