Couple arrested for multi-vehicle crash that hospitalized five in Taylorsville

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) — A man and woman are behind bars after a multi-vehicle crash in Taylorsville that injured several people, most of whom were hospitalized. Teiciaz Luseana T Faka'Osiula, 21, was arrested on three counts of failing to remain at an accident involving serious injury, a third-degree felony; two counts of failure to remain at an accident involving injury, a Class A misdemeanor; and one count of reckless endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor. Trent Ted Redmustache, 22, was arrested on one count of distribution of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony, and one count of obstruction of justice, a Class A misdemeanor. Both individuals have yet to be formally charged by the district attorney. According to the arrest statement, around 10 p.m. on May 24, a major crash was reported near 4700 South and Redwood Road in Taylorsville. First responders rushed to the area to assist the victims and find out what happened. Surveillance footage from the incident reportedly captured a white Ram pickup truck traveling southbound on Redwood. Witnesses reported that it was speeding before it crashed into a Comcast utility pole. The damaged pole fell and struck a vehicle waiting at a red light in the intersection. Following the initial impact, the Ram truck struck two additional vehicles and nearly hit a pedestrian who was lawfully crossing the road. A Ford Focus, the car that was struck by the utility pole, had three occupants, all of whom reported neck and head pain. Two of those individuals required ongoing medical care for their injuries. The first vehicle struck by the Ram truck was a Toyota Corolla, which then crashed into a retaining wall near Dee's Restaurant. The occupant of the car had to be extricated and transported to the hospital. Documents say he suffered a collapsed lung, broken ribs, and is being treated in the intensive care unit. The second vehicle hit by the truck was a Kia Soul. Its two occupants were able to exit the vehicle, and both required stitches for lacerations sustained in the crash. During the crash, a pedestrian who was lawfully crossing the street saw that the Ram truck was about to hit them and managed to run out of its path, narrowly avoiding being hit. This was seen on surveillance footage from the Dee's, which also captured a woman getting out of the truck's driver's seat and a man exiting the passenger seat after it stopped. The woman, later identified as Faka'Osiula, spoke with officers at the scene of the crash, but did not provide them with any information. Police noted that she seemed to be impaired. During the investigation into the crash, Redmustache told officers that an "unidentified Black male" had stolen his girlfriend's truck. He further claimed that he stopped the man and convinced him to give him a ride. Before speaking with the police, Redmustache allegedly threw all of his identifying documents into a nearby trash can. His story was disproven by surveillance footage, police say. The Ram truck was traced back to Faka'Osiula, as it was registered in her name, documents say, and officers believed her boyfriend was the passenger during the crash. Police could not immediately locate the couple. On Wednesday, the two were observed in a Kia Forte traveling on 5400 South in Taylorsville. An officer began tailing them but lost sight of them. They were later found at the Taylorsville City Police Station. Faka'Osiula was taken into custody first, but invoked her right to an attorney. Documents say she is currently awaiting a bench trial for a driving under the influence arrest in Millard County. When an officer went to her vehicle to retrieve a personal item for her, Redmustache was inside, and the officer noticed a strong smell of marijuana. The Kia Forte was searched, and officers located a partially used THC vape pen, rolling papers, and two marijuana joints within the front driver compartment area. Additionally, officers located 41 THC vape pen packages inside the trunk of the vehicle. Redmustache was taken into custody for obstruction and possession of a distributable amount of marijuana. The couple was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, where Faka'Osiula is being held without bail, and Redmustache is being held with bail.