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

Police Seek SUV in Denver Hit & Run Deaths

2 Young Children Killed, Mother Seriously Injured 

Surveillance video depiction of the white SUV involved in Friday's fatal hit and run

Denver Police are seeking a white or silver SUV in connection with a fatal hit and run accident that occurred last Friday at around 8:00 p.m.

A family was crossing Yosemite Street at East 14th Avenue when the SUV hit the mother and two children. A stroller was seen being dragged by the SUV immediately after the incident. That stroller is actively being sought by police. 

The two children killed as a result of the crash were Zamay Khan, 8, and Azat Khan, 6. Zamay was pronounced dead at the scene, and Azat died just minutes later at a nearby hospital. Their mother, Zumar Bee, was also gravely injured. She was reportedly in serious condition as of Saturday.

Denver Police have released a surveillance video which depicts the suspected SUV driving soon after the incident. They have not released a specific make or model, as some features of the vehicle are not clear in the video. 

Police are asking for help from the public in the investigation. They have requested that the public focus on several characteristics of the vehicle, including a possible sunroof/moonroof, a visor over the front windshield, and running boards.

Another video released by Denver Police depicts two men standing outside of a 7-11 who apparently witnessed the incident. Police are actively seeking these two witnesses in hopes of ascertaining more information about the case. 

If you have information about this incident, please contact crime stoppers at (720) 913-7867.

If you are injured in a hit and run accident, 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: Denver Police release video of SUV in hit and run that killed 2 boys, After deaths of Denver boys killed in hit-and-run, refugee community mourns

3 Car Crash Near Boulder Leaves Longtime Metrolist CEO Dead

Head On Collision Apparently Resulted from Botched Passing Attempt

(Photo Credit: Paul Aiken)

Colorado state patrol responded to a call for a fatal accident last Wednesday afternoon at about 4:00 p.m. on Colo. 93 just south of Boulder. The investigation and cleanup closed the highway for well over 3 hours.

The accident allegedly happened after the driver of a 2009 Subaru Outback, 21-year-old Michael McCoy, attempted to illegally pass a Hyundai Sante Fe in a no passing zone. McCoy apparently realized he would not be able to complete the pass, and attempted to merge back into his lane, striking the Hyundai. The force from the collision sent McCoy's Subaru back into oncoming traffic, when a 2006 XKR Jaguar convertible driven by Patricia Bybee hit the Subaru head on.

Bybee was pronouced dead at the scene.

Patricia Bybee was the CEO of Greenwood Village-based Metrolist for 27 years until her reisgnation in 2011. Current Metrolist CEO Kirby Slunaker released a statement saying "(Patricia) Bybee was instrumental in starting our organziation, and through her 27 years of guidance it has grown and prospered. Pat was known not only for her unending devotion to the organization and her industry, but her realtor family as well."

McCoy's Subaru rolled after the collision with the Jaguar and landed upside down. McCoy was later taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. Police indicated he may be facing charges related to the incident.

If you are injured in an auto 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!

Source: Two cars involved in fatal crash on Highway 93 between Highway 72 and 104th Avenue

Surge in Auto vs. Pedestrian Accidents Raises Concern

Denver Police: "It's Not Just A Police Problem, It's a City Problem"

The initial two months of 2013 have offered hope and renewal for many Colorado residents, but statistics from that time period also have Denver Police and officials worrying about a sudden surge of accidents involving cars and pedestrians.

A staggering 46% increase in such incidents in this early portion of the new year is certainly cause for concern. "We have more distracted walkers and drivers checking their text messages and e-mails, and people are just not paying attention," offered head traffic investigator Lt. Robert Rock. Rock also noted that distracted drivers are only part of the problem.

"You can watch a kindergarten student always walk to the corner and wait for the light," he said. "And you can watch adults cut across at mid-block all day long."

The spike in auto vs. pedestrian incidents is clearly visible through monthly statistical averages. Throughout 2011 and 2012, approximately 31 auto-pedestrian accidents were reported and investigated. That number jumped to 44 for the first two months of 2013.

Safety officials are hoping to utilize a 3 pronged approach to mitigate the worrying circumstances surrounding the issue. Engineering, education, and enforcement round out the three target areas.

Each of these areas, while certainly beneficial, present difficult obstacles. Engineering is expensive, education is often effective with children but not adults, and enforcement can simply be impractical. 

Police and legislators have instituted some specific measures to help ameliorate the situation. In 2012, Denver Police introduced the Medina Alert System which instantly informs media outlets about hit and run suspects. The law's name commemorates Jose Medina, a valet killed in 2011 by a hit and run driver.

Additionally, state legislators doubled the penalty for convicted hit and run drivers to a six year jail term, which is an identical penalty given to those convicted of impaired or intoxicated driving involving a pedestrian accident.

If you are injured in a hit and run or pedestrian vs. auto accident, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. 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: Spike in Denver's auto-pedestrian cases has officials seeking answers

Man Arrested After 3 Hour Accident Spree

Crime Spree Begins With Car Theft in Centennial 

A 35-year-old man has been detained in a bizarre string of car crashes and thefts spread out across the Centennial, Denver, Aurora, and Boulder areas.

Boulder police arrested Adam Benjamin Manlove at approximately 9:30 a.m. Monday morning in the parking lot of the Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, after guards on the property reported a suspicious vehicle.

The spree apparently began in Centennial at around 6:45 a.m. when Manlove reportedly stole a Mazda from a Conoco station on East Smoky Hill Road and South Picadilly Street. 

The suspect was then allegedly involved in at least 9 other auto crashes and 4 carjackings. He also broke in to house and confronted at least one resident, John Nieves, who said the suspect "apologized and walked out. It was crazy." 

Another witness and victim, Jordan Colabello, had his car stolen by Manlove and offered "He had blood on his face, he just looked really desperate, like he wanted to get out of here fast." Other witnesses reported that the mean appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

When Manlove was finally detained in Boulder, he told police he was involved in several car crashed. Police were able to link him to the earlier car thefts.

Police said they have reason to believe one person was involved with all of the accidents.

If you are injured in hit and run or a car accident, you need to speak with an experienced auto 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: Denver police ID a man suspected in a wild series of car thefts and crashes in Aurora, Denver