Man found with gunshot wound in the head arrested for DUI in Provo

PROVO, Utah (ABC4) — A man who was arrested after a single-car crash on Friday tested positive for alcohol and drugs, and was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.

Oscar Diaz, 34, was arrested on 12 different drug-related, alcohol-related, and firearm-related charges. Diaz is a convicted felon, according to arrest documents, and the incident from April 11 was his third DUI in seven years.

Officers were initially dispatched to a waffle restaurant in Provo on April 11 for a welfare check and a single-vehicle crash. Both incidents officers responded to turned out to be for Diaz, according to an affidavit of probable cause from Utah County.

Officials were first notified that Diaz had a “cut to his head,” which turned out to be “a gunshot wound to his forehead,” documents said. Diaz was taken to a local hospital for treatment, and officers found an open liquor bottle, marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia while searching his vehicle at the scene of the crash.

At the hospital, Diaz was asked when he had last used methamphetamine, after which he said the day before the incident. He also allegedly admitted to drinking alcohol earlier that day.

When asked about the gun, Diaz reportedly told officers it was his friend’s 9mm pistol. Diaz said he was holding his friend’s gun while he was a passenger in his friend’s car, when he “then looked down the barrel of the firearm and accidentally discharged the firearm,” arrest documents said.

After the gun was shot, Diaz said he was dropped off at a relative’s house but was not taken to the hospital. It was not made clear at what point Diaz began driving, but officials said Diaz was allegedly driving without a mandated ignition interlock device on his car at the time of the crash.

After obtaining a warrant, officers tested Diaz’s blood and urine, which reportedly tested positive for alcohol, ecstasy, methamphetamine, and THC, among other substances.

Diaz was arrested on the following charges:

• 1 count of purchase, transfer, possession, use of a firearm by a restricted person — a third-degree felony
• 1 count of driving under the influence; second offense in 10 years — a class A misdemeanor
• 3 counts of possession of a controlled substance, schedule I/II/Analog — all class A misdemeanors
• 1 count of possession of controlled substance, marijuana/spice — a class B misdemeanor
• 1 count of use or possession of drug paraphernalia — a class B misdemeanor
• 1 count of alcohol restricted driver — a class B misdemeanor
• 1 count of discharge firearm from, upon, or across any highway — a class B misdemeanor
• 1 count of failure to install ignition interlock device — a class C misdemeanor
• 1 count of open container/drinking alcohol in a vehicle — a class C misdemeanor
• 1 count of unsafe lane travel — an infraction

Diaz was booked on the aforementioned charges.