No Deaths in High Speed Crash Near Basalt, CO

Colorado State Patrol: "It Could Have Been a lot Worse"

A married couple from Basalt were involved in a high speed chase and crash that has mystified police and investigators as to why there were no serious injuries as a result of the accident.

Carlos Diaz, 36, and Jesenia Alvarez, 32, were involved in a domestic dispute after Diaz apparently gave a  16 year old girl a ride to Basalt High School. Alvarez followed Diaz, who began speeding and driving erratically when he realized he was being pursued by his wife. He eventually stopped at a stop sign, where he was allegedly rear ended by Alvarez.

Diaz then made off in his damaged vehicle through a neighborhood and eventually to highway 82, where he drove west at speeds reportedly exceeding 110 mph. The Colorado State Patrol provided a detailed description of the incident from this point on:

"Diaz allegedly ran a red light at the Highway 82 intersection with Willits Lane, close to the Willits Town Center. Alvarez also allegedly ran the light as a 2008 Audi was turning toward Aspen on Highway 82 from the north side of the intersection. Alvarez swerved at the last moment, according to witnesses, and struck the front of the Audi. She then sideswiped a 1995 BMW stopped at the traffic signal in the left eastbound lane of Highway 82. Alvarez's van continued westbound and collided head-on with a 1997 Dodge Stratus that was slowing as it came to the intersection. The Stratus was knocked backward into a stopped 2005 Toyota Tundra pickup."

Basalt Police Department Sgt. Penny Paxton offered a more sentimental depiction of the crash: "There was debris everywhere. It looked like the cars exploded." She indicated that she hadn't seen an accident bearing so much damage to the vehicles involved that did not also yield serious injuries to the drivers and passengers.

Despite the lack of injuries, charges for Diaz and Alvarez were plentiful. Carlos Diaz was charged with reckless endangerment, speeding, and false imprisonment. Jesenia Alvarez was charged with felony menacing, domestic violence, as well as reckless endangerment. Both are in custody in the Pitkin County Jail.

If you believe you have been injured by a reckless or negligent driver, do not hesitate to contact an attorney. Greater Denver area residents can contact The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger at (303) 279-0221 for a free initial consultation.

Sources: Domestic dispute leads to high-speed accident in Basalt