Argument results in two people being hospitalized

A Nov. 10 incident in Helper resulted in two people being transported to Utah Valley Hospital and four being arrested.

According to the probable cause statement, officers were dispatched to a fight involving 10 to 15 people at approximately 3:52 p.m. Helper City Police Officer Lara Olson, Carbon County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputies Mike Peczuh and Tanner Lake, CCSO Sergeant Shawn Sackett and Price City Police Officer Matt Montoya arrived at the scene.

Upon arrival, officers were informed that one of the male subjects involved was unconscious on the sidewalk and required medical attention. This subject was taken by ambulance to Castleview Hospital where it was determined that he required transfer to Utah Valley Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

A male subject who was among the other victims appeared to have suffered a broken jaw. The man refused emergency services and was taken to Castleview Hospital by private vehicle. It was also determined that he required transfer to Utah Valley Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

The third affected victim suffered a bloody lip and scraped knees, causing him to refuse any medical treatment.

Law enforcement was able to obtain several witness statements and upon further investigation, it was discovered that a red Chevy Malibu with four male subjects had pulled up to the residence.

According to reports, as the subjects exited the vehicle, they began kicking and punching several people outside the residence. Several witnesses were able to take photos of the vehicle and the occupants inside. This allowed law enforcement to identify the individuals as Joseph Lopez, Oscar Flores and two minors.

Lopez and Flores were both located by the Price City Police Department in Price and booked into the Carbon County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with loss of consciousness, aggravated assault with serious bodily injury and battery.

The two minors involved were at a Price residence where they were arrested without incident and transported to the juvenile detention center. The two minors were charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of assault.

According to probable cause, Lopez is a registered member of the Sureño gang in the Salt Lake City branch and is a relative of Flores and one of the minors involved. Lopez is also currently on probation for similar assault charges from 2017, 2018 and 2023.

The report states that Flores is currently on probation for a 2020 assault conviction and is a gang member. It was also reported that the two victims were associated with the Sureño gang from Los Angeles, California.

The current health status of these victims is currently unknown. There is currently no information about the motive. All information reported is consistent with the probable cause statement.

ETV News will continue to monitor this investigation and report as information becomes available.