Drunk driver causes accident on Interstate 380 Friday morning

Southbound traffic on Interstate 380 came to a crawl near the H Ave. exit late Friday morning after a car crashed with a semi-truck.

Pedro Chavez, 37, of 1251 14th St. #4 NE, was driving into the lane of a semi near the on ramp and struck the side of the semi. Chavez then collided with the retaining wall and came to a stop.

The car sustained serious damage but the semi was unharmed in the crash. Chavez and his two passengers refused medical attention.

Officers on scene determined that Chavez was driving under the influence without an Iowa driver's license and that he had improper license plates. Officers also determined that Chavez, as well as his two passengers, were illegal immigrants.

Before emergency services arrived, Chavez called a friend, Nicholas Soliz, 31, of 521 17th St. NE, to come and help. Soliz had no Iowa driver's license either.

Chavez was charged with having no insurance, no Iowa driver's license, improper use of plates, failure to maintain control and an OWI. He was taken to Linn County Jail and his vehicle was towed and impounded.

Soliz was taken to Linn County Jail for not being documented and his vehicle was towed and impounded too.