Wrong-way driver charged after incident on US-20, tells deputy he ‘blacked out’
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REXBURG — A 46-year-old Rexburg man was charged after allegedly driving the wrong way on a local highway, crashing into another vehicle and causing injuries.
Joseph Peter Schultz is charged with felony aggravated driving under the influence for an incident that happened on Dec. 20 at around 4:50 a.m.
RELATED | Wrong-way driver crashes into car on US 20 in Madison County
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, it was reported to a deputy that there was a wrong-way driver — in a white 2021 GMC Sierra pickup truck — on U.S. Highway 20, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. This was near milepost 333.
The deputy activated lights on the patrol vehicle and found the driver, later identified as Schultz.
Schultz reportedly drove around the deputy’s vehicle and then crashed head-on into a 2018 Toyota Rav 4.
The driver who was hit was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls with serious injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
The deputy interviewed Schultz, who said he had been drinking alcohol. He reportedly said he had been drinking approximately two hours before the accident.
Schultz told law enforcement he drove onto US-20 from the North Rexburg exit, documents said. The deputy asked if he had seen him on the road with emergency lights. He reportedly said he did not.
He also told the deputy he had “blacked out” and the next thing he knew he was “striking a vehicle in front of him,” court documents said.
Schultz was transported to Madison Memorial Hospital with minor to moderate injuries, the sheriff’s office said. Court records show Schultz had a blood alcohol content of 0.210. The legal limit is 0.08.
He was given a $250,000 bail and has since posted it. Schultz is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 2 at 1:30 p.m. at the Madison County Courthouse.
Though Schultz has been charged with this crime, it does not necessarily mean he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.