A drunk man rear-ended a Weld County truck in southwest Greeley Thursday, police said. Then he fled the scene.

April 16--One man could face a half dozen criminal charges after police say he crashed into a Weld County vehicle in southwest Greeley while under the influence of alcohol before fleeing the scene and crashing again not far away.

Ronald Mestas, 48, had the odor of alcohol on his breath Thursday afternoon by the time Colorado State Troopers caught up with him, according to the affidavit for his arrest. Troopers believe it contributed to his rear-ending a Weld County truck on Weld County Road 54 just east of Colo. 257 in southwest Greeley.

Mestas fled the scene of that crash, according to the affidavit. He crashed the car about a mile and a half away near Colo. 257, which is where troopers caught up with him. The car had rolled, and troopers noted he was "unaware of where he'd crashed."

Mestas also had no memory of rear-ending the county truck, according to the affidavit. Troopers saw two open vodka bottles in the car, and Mestas' blood alcohol content was later found to be .199, more than double the .08 limit for drivers in Colorado.

In addition to that, Mestas "had at least three prior DUIs and admitted to it," according to the affidavit. Troopers were also unable to find any proof of insurance in his car.

He was taken to Medical Center of the Rockies and police kept watch over him there. He was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including careless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, and failing to remain at the scene of a crash.

Prosecutors from the Weld District Attorney's office have until early next week to file charges against him.

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