PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Newly obtained court documents say the teen suspect accused of crashing into a west Phoenix home failed to maintain his balance, appearing impaired at the time of his arrest.
Valentin Alonso Espinoza, who just turned 18 in August, is facing DUI, criminal damage and endangerment charges stemming from the crash that happened Friday night near 39th Avenue and Wilshire Drive.
Court papers say police had responded to a 911 call about a car that had driven into a home. Emergency dispatchers also received a call from Espinoza, stating that he crashed and was stuck inside his vehicle.
Documents say Espinoza was able to get out of the car before officers arrived and was spotted lying in the front yard of the home.
Police described the home as having heavy damage, and the homeowners Arizona’s Family spoke with said that rubble and debris now fill the property. The front of their home has been replaced with boards, and cracks can be seen in the living room area.
The homeowners supplied police with Ring indoor camera video, which shows the black Ford Mustang plow into the home, nearly missing two people and their dogs.
Court documents state that a witness saw the Mustang driving fast along 39th Avenue, heading south with no lights on, when the Espinoza appeared to have missed the left turn and hit the home.
Espinoza was reportedly found with chipped teeth, appeared to have urinated himself, and had other injuries. He chose not to be taken to the hospital and said he was physically fine, but the officer on scene said he was “unsteady on his feet” and appeared to be in an altered mental state.
At the scene, police attempted to conduct a field sobriety test, but he was so unsteady they couldn’t successfully conduct one.
Two empty packages of cannabis oil and hemp pods were found on the 18-year-old, documents say. Recreational marijuana is illegal under the age of 21.
Espinoza was released from the Maricopa County jail on his own recognizance. His next court appearance is set for Sept. 16.
