Veteran DUI driver Rudy Isla-Mejico faces long stretch in prison for DUI fatal, killed Bob Arndt

From Jackson Hole News & Guide

Rudy Henry Isla-Mejico, 41, of Driggs, Idaho DUI aggravated vehicular homicide July 1, 2017, Teton County Sheriff WY

The man police say was driving drunk and hit and killed 53-year-old Jackson resident Bob Arndt appeared in Teton County Circuit Court again Thursday afternoon.

“I encourage you to hire an attorney before that date,” Radda said. “You can always requalify for the public defender. But based on what you testified on Monday, you don’t qualify.”

When asked if he would be able to hire an attorney, Isla-Mejico said yes.

“Pretty soon,” Isla-Mejico said in court through a translator. “I had an interview with my attorney this morning. I don’t know when exactly he’s going to come into court but I’ll talk to him.”

Isla-Mejico was charged with vehicular homicide June 30 after the Dodge pickup he was driving collided head-on with Arndt’s car, police said.

“Isla-Mejico stated he had consumed two beers,” court documents state. “Deputy [Bradley] Goering noted that Isla-Mejico’s eyes were red and that he swayed while standing.”

Investigators found open containers of tequila and beer in his truck, according to documents.

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Robert “Bob” Arndt, 53, was killed by repeat offender DUI driver Rudy Henry Isla-Mejico on June 30, 2017

 Robert “Bob” Arndt, 53, was pronounced dead at the scene

From Planet Jackson Hole

JACKSON HOLE, WY – The investigation into the collision that killed Robert (Bob) Sumner Arndt is ongoing, but many are already feeling his absence.

“He had so much promise, so much left to give. It feels like such a loss to our community,” said friend Andy Heffron, a local farmer.

Arndt was involved in a head-on collision while driving east on Highway 22 Friday night. His Porsche was hit by the driver of a pickup headed west reportedly driving in the wrong lane without headlights.

Wyoming Highway Patrol identified Rudy Isla-Mejico, of Driggs, Idaho, as the driver of the pickup. He is being held in Teton County jail on two felony charges, aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated assault and battery, and four misdemeanors including open container, driving without headlights and driving in the wrong lane. A vehicular homicide charge, state trooper Justin Gardner explained, determines that the drivers’ actions “caused the death of another person.”

“Him being drunk, driving down the road with his headlights off, had he not done that the other person would probably be alive today,” Gardner said.   MORE

Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were dispatched to the scene at 2:12 a.m.

They determined a 2007 sport utility vehicle was traveling eastbound on Wyoming Highway 22 behind a Porche driven by Arndt.

A pickup, without its headlights on, was traveling west in the eastbound lane of the highway.

Arndt did not see the pickup and a head-on collision occurred.

After the collision, the pickup began sliding off the south shoulder of the highway.

The SUV driver tried to take evasive action and turn his vehicle to the right but collided with the passenger side of the pickup.

Troopers identified the pickup driver as Rudy Isla-Mejico. He was arrested and is facing criminal charges for driving while under the influence and aggravated vehicular homicide.

Idaho Courts Case History

Teton County Sheriff DUI arrests for July 8, 2017

Hannah Faye Guear, 37, of Jackson, Wyoming DUI arrested June 20, 2017, Teton County Sheriff

Rudy Henry Isla-Mejico, 41, of Driggs, Idaho DUI aggravated vehicular homicide July 1, 2017, Teton County Sheriff WY

CORY JAMES ROGAN, 25, of Jackson, Wyoming, DUI Teton County Sheriff arrested July 5, 2017