LOGAN — A 40-year-old Logan man is being sent to prison for causing a fatal crash in Wellsville two years ago that killed a Brigham City man. Jorge Luis Robles said he was sorry for that “tragic day” before the victim’s widow and family members described how the judicial system had failed them.
Robles was sentenced Wednesday, Sept. 4 in Logan’s 1st District Court. He previously pleaded guilty to negligently operating a vehicle resulting in death, a second-degree felony; negligently operating a vehicle resulting in serious injury and possession or use of a controlled substance, both third-degree felonies; along with misdemeanors for driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.
Early on the morning of Sept. 22, 2022, Robles was driving under the influence of methamphetamine when he drifted into oncoming traffic, causing a six vehicle pileup that killed 32-year-old Joshua William Hansen of Brigham City. Another individual was transported to the hospital and underwent surgery.
Utah Highway Patrol Troopers report Robles was driving a Ford F-150 southbound on US-89/91. He crossed the center lane and into oncoming traffic, striking multiple vehicles near the American West Heritage Center. He was transported by ambulance to Logan Regional Hospital, where doctors reported that he showed signs of having an illegal controlled substance in his system.
Court records show, Robles was an alcohol-restricted driver after previously being convicted of driving under the influence. His driver’s license had also been revoked and he had been cited previously for driving on a suspended license.
At the time of the crash, Robles was free on bail after being arrested 33 days earlier for possession of a distributable amount of a controlled substance.
During Wednesday’s sentencing, Robles expressed an apology “to everyone for that horrible day.” He wished that words could take away the pain he had caused.
Hansen’s parents, Michael and Elizabeth Hansen, asked how Robles could have been out of jail at the time, noting how the defendant had been arrested 34 times since 2003. They said the real victims were their son’s wife, Rachel, and two young children, who are having to grow up without their father.
While holding her daughter and son, Rachel tearfully told the court how the justice system had failed her family.
“Grief doesn’t just break hearts,” she stated, “it shatters and changes everything in your world.”
Rachel said the defendant had too many second chances, and now deserved the longest sentence possible.
Judge Brian Cannell called Robles’ actions selfish, and hoped the memories of Josh Hansen would live on. He sentenced the defendant to one-to-15-years for the second-degree felony, two terms of zero-to-five-years for the third-degree felonies, and 364 days for the misdemeanor, the maximum time under Utah law.
In addition, Judge Cannell ordered the sentences to be served back-to-back, due to the “significant loss to the victims.” He also did not recommend any credit for the two years Robles has been in jail and will determine later the amount of restitution owed to the victims. It will be up to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole to determine when the defendant is released.