Man facing charges after deadly crash in Jerome County

**Updated on April 22 at 10:55 p.m.

JEROME COUNTY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — A man is now facing criminal charges following Sunday’s fatal crash in Jerome. 

Rudy Oswaldo Perez Chavez, 29, appeared in court this afternoon for an arraignment hearing after being released from the hospital last night, according to court records. He is facing felony vehicular manslaughter and aggravated driving under the influence charges. 

The crash occurred Sunday evening at the 400 block of West Road, according to Idaho State Police. 

Court documents show Perez Chavez, driving a Pontiac G6, crossed over the center line and collided head-on with a Chevrolet Equinox, driven by 72-year-old Quirino Escobedo Pacheco from Jerome. 

Escobedo Pacheco died at the scene. 

A passenger in the Equinox was taken to St. Luke’s Magic Valley and then transported to St. Alphonsus in Boise, while the other passenger was taken to St. Luke’s Jerome Medical Center. 

Perez Chavez was airlifted to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello. It appears he was the only occupant in the G6. 

Paramedics smelled an odor of alcohol coming from Perez Chavez and found open beer bottles in the vehicle, according to court documents. 

Perez Chavez’s breath samples tested positive for DUI, at double the legal limit. 

Perez Chavez is back in court on April 29 for a preliminary hearing. 

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