Thursday wrecks kill one, injures seven

Vehicles involved in the Highway 160 head-on crash Thursday night. Courtesy photos.

VALLEY– Two motor vehicle accidents within an hour’s time Thursday night, resulted in one fatality and minor to severe injuries to seven others.

A 17-year-old Conejos County teen was killed near Manassa about 11 p.m. after he was pinned beneath the sport utility vehicle (SUV) he was riding in rolled multiple times near the intersection of Conejos County Road 18 and County Road R. The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) did not release the name of the victim or the 18-year-old driver and another 16-year-old passenger.

CSP said the SUV was traveling north on Road 18 at a high rate of speed and veered off the west side of the roadway. The vehicle overcorrected causing it to roll multiple times and across a ditch off the roadway’s east side, colliding with a fence and coming to rest on its top.

All occupants were transferred to Conejos County Hospital with the three injured parties suffering minor injuries.

According to CSP, an alcohol-related head-on collision about 15 miles east of Alamosa on Colorado Highway 160 just before 10 p.m. Thursday sent five people to the hospital with moderate to severe injuries.

A blue 2014 Mini Cooper driven by Gloria Dominguez, 22, of Alamosa was eastbound when it collided with a westbound silver 2011 Cadillac driven by Arianna Hope, 19, Alamosa. According to CSP, the Dominguez vehicle traveled into the westbound lane and the Hope vehicle traveled into the eastbound lane to avoid a collision when the Dominguez vehicle moved back into that lane and collided head-on.

Following impact, the Dominguez vehicle traveled across the westbound lane coming to rest straddling the westbound fog line facing southeast.  The Hope vehicle following impact traveled across the eastbound lane and shoulder before colliding with a delineator post. Following impact with the delineator post, the Hope vehicle rolled off the south side of Colorado 160 coming to rest on its roof facing north.

The Hope party along with three passengers identified as Chadeach Hope, 19, Napua Hope, 19, both of Alamosa, and Jodi McGuagh, 18, Fort Garland, were transported by ambulance to the San Luis Valley Health Regional Medical Center where they were treated for moderate to serious injuries.  The Dominguez party was also transported by ambulance to the SLV Health where she was treated for serious injuries.

Alcohol use is suspected as a contributing factor in the crash and the incident remains under investigation at this time.  For further inquires concerning the accident, please contact Sgt. Rippe from the Colorado State Patrol at 719-589-2503.


Video News