'American Idol' star's dad cited for patronizing prostitute

June 17th, 2009
from KSL.com
By Ben Winslow

MIDVALE -- The father of "American Idol" runner-up and Utah favorite David Archuleta quietly settled a citation for patronizing a prostitute, court records show.

The case was handled in January in Midvale Justice Court. Records show James "Jeff" Archuleta, 41, pleaded no contest to patronizing a prostitute, a class B misdemeanor.

He entered what is called a plea in abeyance, which means that if he commits no further violations of the law, the case will be dismissed.

Court records show Midvale Justice Court Judge Ronald Wolthuis ordered Archuleta to attend a class called "Thinking Errors," and pay a $582 fine. He complied with those terms, court records show.

Archuleta is due in court again on June 30 for a review hearing where the case will likely be dismissed.

Midvale police did not return repeated calls for comment seeking information on the initial arrest.

Fiery Crash Involving Ammunition Created Deadly Scenario

1 killed, 1 critically injured in I-80 wreck

from KSL.com
June 13th, 2009

TOOELE -- Crews are working to clear up a fiery, fatal accident on Interstate 80 near the Salt Lake-Tooele County line. Live ammunition on the road is making the cleanup difficult and traffic is backed up for miles.

Utah Highway Patrol says around 11 a.m. an eastbound Dodge Dakota pickup truck collided with a Fed-Ex truck near milepost 102, where westbound S.R. 201 meets westbound I-80.

Both vehicles were engulfed in flames at one point.

The driver of the pickup died; the driver of the Fed-Ex truck was airlifted to Intermountain Medical Center in critical condition.

UHP's Sgt. Jeff Nigbur says the Fed-Ex truck was pulling three trailers. The first trailer contained ammunition which has been going off periodically, making it unsafe for crews to open lanes of traffic.

The interstate is closed in both directions. Nigbur says it may take another three to four hours to reopen it.

Westbound I-80 traffic reportedly is backed up for eight to 10 miles. One lane of eastbound traffic has been open intermittently.

The accident is under investigation.

Stay with KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM and KSL.com for updates on this developing story.