Driver charged with vehicular manslaughter OWI in Des Moines crash

DES MOINES, Iowa — A 28-year-old man who allegedly drove drunk and fled after an earlier traffic accident when he crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on, killing the driver, now faces a series of charges, including vehicular manslaughter. Rogelio Olivares-Barreto was arraigned Monday but remains under guard in the hospital, police said.

At approximately 8:03 p.m. Saturday, Des Moines Police and Des Moines Fire responded to a report of a crash with injuries at the intersection of 2nd and Holcomb Avenues. When responders arrived on scene, they found multiple injuries, as well as an adult female, identified as 47-year-old Maria Elena Rodriguez, dead at the scene.

According to police, a 45-year-old woman and two boys aged ten and seven are still in hospital.

Crash investigation revealed that a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 28-year-old Rogelio Olivares-Barreto was southbound on 2nd Avenue. Witnesses told investigators that the Silverado fled the scene of the crash at 2nd Avenue and Corning Avenue at a high rate of speed. The Silverado crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a northbound Toyota Sienna occupied by Rodriguez and three other people.

According to a search warrant, Olivares-Barreto was thrown from the vehicle during the crash and was found lying in the roadway. Authorities found a Mexican identification card in his vehicle.

Olivares-Barreto has been charged with the following in connection with the Toyota Sienna crash: