logo
Spanish Fork man charged with manslaughter in fiery 2022 crash

Spanish Fork man charged with manslaughter in fiery 2022 crash

Yahoo08-04-2025
SALT LAKE CITY () — A 22-year-old Spanish Fork man has been taken into custody, charged with manslaughter in a fiery crash on I-80 that took the life of a 15-year-old victim in 2022.
Court records show Ricardo Aceves was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on Monday, April 7, after he was arrested on a warrant for second-degree felony manslaughter.
Prosecutors claim Aceves was behind the wheel of while racing other vehicles at speeds of 142 miles-per-hour along I-80. The BMW reprtedly lost control when one of its tires separated, sending the car airborne. During the crash, the BMW crossed the median into on-coming traffic and caught fire before it crashed into a Ford Explorer, coming to a rest on its roof.
Aceves and another passenger in the BMW were ejected from the car during the crash, while a third passenger crawled away from the wreckage, according to court documents. A fourth passenger – identified only as a 15-year-old male in court records – was killed in the fiery crash.
(Images courtesy: Utah Highway Patrol)
The passengers of the Ford Explorer were all able to get to safety before flames fully engulfed their car.
In the years following the crash, investigators were able to confirm that Aceves was leaving in Tooele County, an automotive festival featuring racing, live music, and more. Investigators were also working to repair a GoPro found in the BMW after the crash.
Footage from the GoPro allegedly confirmed Aceves was behind the wheel, driving 'erratically and recklessly' as he entered I-80, according to court records.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers said Aceves had been driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash and should not have been behind the wheel. In the two years since the crash, Aceves has been cited for driving on a suspended license and without valid registration.
'The Defendant has shown little concern for his actions or the community by continuing to drive without a valid license and obtaining three new citations after this accident,' proseuctors allege in charging documents.
Aceves has been ordered to be held without bail, pending a pretrial hearing set for Friday, April 18, 2025.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Couple slain while hiking with daughters in Arkansas state park, police say
Couple slain while hiking with daughters in Arkansas state park, police say

NBC News

time3 hours ago

  • NBC News

Couple slain while hiking with daughters in Arkansas state park, police say

A man and woman who had recently moved to northwest Arkansas were apparently killed as they hiked in a state park with their school-age daughters, authorities said Sunday. The victims were identified by Arkansas State Police as Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41. The agency said in a statement the couple had recently moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from out of state. Facebook pages for each, verified by NBC News, say that they have lived in inland California and eastern Montana. Public records place them in Miles City, Montana. State police said the agency was notified of the double homicide in Devil's Den State Park shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday. The park is about 12 miles east of Prairie Grove and about 25 miles south of Fayetteville. "We are heartbroken by today's horrific news from Devil's Den State Park and are in close contact with State Police and the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism as they work to apprehend the suspect," Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on X on Saturday evening. She said "law enforcement will not rest" until the killer is found and prosecuted. The victims' daughters, ages 7 and 9, were not harmed and were in the custody of family, the agency said Sunday. It's not clear whether they witnessed the homicides. A manhunt led by Arkansas State Police is underway. An FBI representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. State police said the killer is a man with a medium build who was wearing a dark, long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark baseball cap, and fingerless gloves. He may have been seen driving toward a park exit in a black sedan, possibly a Mazda, with tape obscuring its license plate number, state police said. Investigators believe the man may have driven on State Highway 170 or State Highway 220 nearby. There was no information available on the type of weapon used or a motive. The Arkansas State Crime Lab will confirm the manner and cause of death, state police said. Detectives hope cellphone and security video can help them crack the case. They called for anyone at the park Saturday with cellphone or GoPro-style imagery to step forward. The area of the park where the homicides took place was off-limits Sunday as the investigation continues, state police said. The couple's bodies were found on a walking trail, the agency said. It described the area as "remote and rural," a region "where the terrain is rugged, vegetation is thick and there is no cellphone service." A state parks spokesperson said all trails at Devil's Den were off-limits until further notice. Last month, a dedication was staged for a newly renovated campground at the park. Arkansas State Parks describes Devil's Den as "a favorite destination for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians."

Suspect sought in deaths of couple hiking in Arkansas State Park
Suspect sought in deaths of couple hiking in Arkansas State Park

UPI

time4 hours ago

  • UPI

Suspect sought in deaths of couple hiking in Arkansas State Park

Devil's Den State Park in Washington County, Ark., was part of the Ozarks. Photo Arkansas State Parks/X July 27 (UPI) -- "All available resources are being used" to find the suspect in the deaths of a couple hiking on a trail at a northwest Arkansas state park, Col. Mike Hagar of the Arkansas State Police said Sunday. Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristenb Amanda Brinks, 41, were killed at Devil's Den State Park near Fayetteville in Washington County on Saturday afternoon, state police said. The couple, who recently moved to Prairie Grove from another state, were hiking with their daughters, 7 and 9, who were not injured. They are safe and in the custody of relatives, police said. "I want to thank the public and our media partners for their support as we pursue the man responsible for this heinous crime," Hagar said in a statement. "We are using all available resources to apprehend this suspect and bring him to justice." Assisting are local, state and federal law enforcement. The 2,500-acre park is in a remote and rural area, including rugged terrain with thick vegetation and no cellphone service. The park includes several trails and 20 miles for horseback riding. Devil's Den State Park was named one of the most beautiful state parks in America by @thetravlens. This park is an Arkansas icon, nestled in Lee Creek Valley. This stunning view is on the Yellow Rock trail at the park ! #ARStateParks #VisitArkansas Arkansas State Parks (@ArkStateParks) January 28, 2023 The park is in Lee Creek Valley of the Boston Mountains, which are part of the Ozarks. It was selected as a state park in the 1930s, and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work relief program established during the Great Depression. Devil's Den also includes caves, an 8-acre man-made lake for fishing and boating, as well as a swimming pool. Campsites and cabins are also available. Police were dispatched at 2:40 p.m. local time Saturday. Investigators have not released the circumstances of the situation but have launched a double homicide investigation. They are asking for the public' help in identifying the suspect. "Investigators are asking those who visited the park on Saturday to check cellphone photos and videos or GoPro camera footage for images of the suspect," according to the police statement. Also, people nearby are asked to check their home security camera footage. The state police believe he is a White man with a medium build who was carrying a backpack. Police said he was driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan, possibly a Mazda. The vehicle may have been going on State Highway 170 to State Highway 220 near the park. There is increased law enforcement in all of the state parks. "We are praying for the family and friends of the victims, and know that law enforcement will not rest until the perpetrator is brought to justice," Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders posted on X.

Police Search for Suspect Who Killed Parents Walking With Their Children
Police Search for Suspect Who Killed Parents Walking With Their Children

Newsweek

time5 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Police Search for Suspect Who Killed Parents Walking With Their Children

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Arkansas State Police (ASP) are searching for a suspect who killed the parents of two young children as the family walked through a park on Saturday. Newsweek has reached out to ASP for additional information and comment via email on Sunday. Why It Matters Investigators are urging anyone who visited the park Saturday to review cellphone photos, videos or GoPro footage for possible images and footage of the suspect. Residents living near the park are also asked to contact ASP if they have security footage that may aid the investigation. What To Know Around 2:40 p.m. local time on Saturday, ASP were informed of a double homicide at Devil's Den State Park, after Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on a trail. The couple recently moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from another state. In a Sunday update, the ASP confirmed that the Brinks were walking in the park with their two daughters, aged 7 and 9, when they were attacked. The girls were not injured and are with family members. The police described the suspect as an "unknown white male with a medium build. He was wearing dark pants, a dark ballcap and sunglasses. The suspect had a black backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves." A couple who was killed at Devil's Den State Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025, was hiking with their two daughters when they were attacked. The girls, who are 7 and 9, were not injured and are safe with family members. Read here for details: — Arkansas State Police (@ARStatePolice) July 27, 2025 He is believed to have been driving a black, four-door Mazda with "a license plate covered by electrical or duct tape." The area of the park where the incident occurred remains closed off and secured by law enforcement, as of Sunday, ASP said. The park's website noted that "all trails are closed until further notice." Devil's Den State Park is located in in northwest Arkansas's Washington County, in West Fork. Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas on May 22, 2012. Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas on May 22, 2012. AP Photo/Alex Menendez What People Are Saying Shea Lewis, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, issued a statement on Sunday: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Devil's Den State Park. Our hearts are with the victims' loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. The safety of our visitors and staff is our highest priority, and we are working closely with Arkansas State Police and various law enforcement officials as the investigation continues. We have increased law enforcement presence in our state parks. Our Park Rangers are fully commissioned law enforcement officers, and they are actively engaged in ensuring the safety and security of our park guests. We remain committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and to maintaining Arkansas State Parks as safe, welcoming places for all." Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a Saturday X post: "We are heartbroken by today's horrific news from Devil's Den State Park and are in close contact with State Police and the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism as they work to apprehend the suspect. We are praying for the family and friends of the victims, and know that law enforcement will not rest until the perpetrator is brought to justice." What Happens Next? ASP is working with local law enforcement on the investigation, and any individuals with any information on the suspects location are encouraged to contact ASP Troop L at (479) 751-6663.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store