DPS NEWS

DPS statement regarding crash investigation involving Felix Calata

On March 25, 2018, Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and agents responded to the scene of a fatal accident involving Felix Calata. DPS investigators originally scheduled to screen the case with prosecutors on June 20. Constant communication between investigators and prosecutors was ongoing up until the rescheduled meeting on October 24.  On October 24, prosecutors requested DPS investigators to provide more information regarding the traffic light sequencing at the intersection of Bangerter highway and California avenue in Salt Lake City. The requested information was gathered and sent back to prosecutors on November 14. The case was scheduled to be rescreened on December 6, 2018.

Each investigation is unique and it is important to note the thorough job DPS agents and troopers do to provide complete investigations each time. The length of our investigations are dependent on the details and circumstances surrounding each case. In this case, DPS investigators were waiting for multiple reports leading up to their meetings with prosecutors. This included a reconstruction report which was complex due to the nature of the crash. Later, traffic light sequencing data was requested by prosecutors.

Below is a timeline of DPS’ investigation and actions associated with it.

Date	Action	Description
March 25, 2018	Crash occurs at California Ave and Bangerter Hwy	Jeep Cherokee vs Chevrolet Sonic
March 25, 2018	DPS Investigation begins (UHP, SBI, MAIT)	IMC staff states Calata would be in hospital for at least four days.
March 26, 2018	SBI interview with Calata at IMC
March 27, 2018	SBI interview with driver # 2 at IMC
March 27, 2018	DPS obtains warrant for electronic devices/Jeep	SBI processed Jeep for evidence. Warrant provided to MAIT to conduct scan for crash reconstruction.
March 30, 2018	UHP MAIT processes Chevy for reconstruction
March 28, 2018	UHP MAIT processes Jeep for reconstruction
April 9, 2018	SBI submits subpoena for medical records
April 17, 2018	SBI receives subpoena for medical records	From IMC for both Calata and driver # 2
April 28, 2018	SBI receives subpoenaed medical records
April 29, 2018	UHP notifies SBI of fatal report completion	This report did not include scale diagram, field sketch, safety inspection, or reconstruction
May 9, 2018	UHP scale diagram completed
May 29, 2018	DPS enters case into PIMS
June 7, 2018	DPS scheduled screening with SLCo DA for June 20
June 20, 2018	SLCo DA contacted DPS to cancel screening	Cancelled due to DA’s desire to wait for completed reconstruction
June 26, 2018	SBI receives Medical Examiner’s report
August 16, 2018	Calata is arrested by UHP on warrants (separate incident)	During a traffic stop Calata was arrested on warrants unrelated to the March 25 crash. Calata was held in SLCo Jail until mid-October
August 18, 2018	UHP MAIT reconstruction completed
August 22, 2018	SBI received copy of reconstruction report from MAIT
August/September	DPS follow up analysis of crash investigation/reconstruction	Meetings between SBI and MAIT/UHP accident personnel analyzing data
August 28, 2018	DPS in communication with SLCo DA for screening date	Scheduled for September 12, but had to be cancelled due to scheduling conflicts
September 27, 2018	SBI follow up interview with driver # 2
October 3, 2018	SBI follow up interview with Calata (at SLCo Jail)
October 11, 2018	SBI requests/receives jail calls for Calata
October 16, 2018	DPS reschedules screening date for October 24
October 24, 2018	DPS meets with SLCo DA to screen case	DA’s office assigns a prosecutor for follow up. DPS receives a request for information on traffic light sequencing.
October 24,2018	SBI contacts UDOT for assistance
November 6, 2018	SBI receives contact from UDOT and schedules meeting for November 14
November 14, 2018	SBI meets with UDOT traffic engineer about light sequencing	UDOT is able to provide traffic signal data (raw data)
November 14, 2018	DPS notifies SLCo DA with additional data and requests new screening
November 16, 2018	SLCo DA contacts DPS and sets screening for December 6
November 23, 2018	SBI receives UDOT report explaining traffic light data