State Patrol: Fatal I-70 Crash Involved Drinking

Underage Driver of Car Was Double the Legal Limit

(photo credit: CDOT)

A fatal semi-truck vs. car crash on April 14 on Westbound 1-70 near Glenwood Springs involved a teenage driver that was nearly double the legal blood alcohol limit, the Colorado State Patrol said Tuesday.

Brianda Zavala, 18, of Glenwood Springs, was driving east in the Westbound lanes in a construction zone when her car collided with a semi-truck. The two passengers in her vehicle also tested positive for alcohol, and were killed as a result of the crash.

Jennifer Navarez, 16, and Albino Ortiz-Monge, 24, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi-truck, Peter Zhuchok, 54, was not injured

Initial reports have suggested that two teenage or underage girls were seen drinking at a Glenwood Springs liquor establishment. Colorado Department of Revenue has not commented on this allegation, as an investigation is ongoing.

"Based on the toxicology report, the driver of the 2006 Audi had been under the influence at the time of the crash," indicated State Patrol Trooper Bonnie Collins in a Tuesday press release.

If you are injured by a drunk driver, or any car accident in the greater Denver Metro area, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: Report: Teen driver in fatal I-70 accident was drunk

Denver Taxi Driver Killed in DUI Crash

Junior Soko, 29, Leaves Behind 2 Children

(credit: 9news)

A Denver area cab driver was killed early Monday morning when a vehicle ran a red light at a high speed and struck the cab, which was transporting a 62-year-old passenger.

Junior Soko, 29, was killed as a result of the crash, and was pronounced dead at the scene. It appears the cab was traveling South on Colorado Blvd. when the suspect car apparently ran a red light and collided with the yellow cab.

Soko's passenger was taken to a local hospital and was reportedly in critical condition.

Two men and a woman who were in the suspect vehicle were also taken to the hospital. Denver Police have not been able to interview the three individuals due to their hospitalized state. Police have indicated that they are still investigating which person was driving the suspect vehicle. All three people in the suspect car were not wearing their seat belt.

Police have also expressed the likelihood that alcohol was involved in the crash.

Yellow Cab manager Randy Jenson has set up a fund for the Soko family at Wells Fargo. All proceeds from the fund will go directly to the family. Soko left behind two young girls, aged 13 and 11. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo location.

"He was a great cabby," Jenson added. "He felt really good about the business he was in. It's truly unfortunate."

If you are injured in a car accident by a drunk driver, or any other accident, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: Taxi driver killed in 2-car crash near City Park in Denver, Taxi Driver Killed in Denver Crash Identified

Fatal Hit and Run in Denver Leaves Longtime Resident and Family Patriarch Dead

Suspect in Custody, Bail set at $50,000

Within the last month, Denver police and safety officials have voiced their concern about a serious, growing problem affecting the city over the course of the initial 3 months of the new year: hit and run accidents, many involving pedestrians.

It appears this trend is continuing. On March 22, two young children were killed and their mother seriously injured after a white SUV mowed them down in a crosswalk on a snowy evening. Just days later, longtime Denver resident and family patriarch Charles Herrera, 85, was killed when a red Pontiac Grand Am sped through a red light and struck Herrera's white sedan.

Herrera's family is devastated. Charles' son John expressed discontent with the bail amount set by police, $50,000.00. "For what she is accused of doing, I would think it would be more than that."

"It's really, really hard." the younger Herrera added. "He was always there for all of us. If there was anything we needed - anything - he would help." he said of his father.

Charles Herrera originally moved to Denver as a young man from New Mexico, and was a well respected resident of his neighborhood and also a great-great-grandfather, his son indicated.

The suspect in this case, Latoya Nelson, 29, has a history of criminal activity dating back to 2001. Her arrest record includes a felony weapons offense in April 2012 and an arrest for aggravated vehicle theft in October 2011.

Latoya's mother Deborah offered support for her daughter, but acknowledged the difficulties lying ahead for the family. "It's terrible. Really sad. It's a long road ahead. We will be there for her." she said.

If you are injured in a car accident, hit and run, or pedestrian vs. auto accident in the greater Denver metro area, you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Bail set for Denver fatal hit-and-run suspect; victim's family mourns, Denver area's pedestrian deaths, hit-and-runs continue to mount Read more: Denver area's pedestrian deaths, hit-and-runs continue to mount