A motorcyclist was fatally injured in a collision with a car Wednesday at Main and Sligo streets near Walmart, according to the Cortez Police Department.
Gabrielle D. Doctor, of Kayenta, Arizona, was driving a red Subaru, according to a police arrest affidavit, when he attempted to turn left from Main Street onto South Sligo Street and hit the motorcyclist, identified as Travis Beeson, 20.
Beeson, who was thrown off his bike, was treated by bystanders and EMTs with the Cortez Fire Protection District.
Beeson, who was wearing a helmet, was taken to Southwest Memorial, then airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction.
He was pronounced dead Friday afternoon, said Montezuma County Coroner George Deavers.
Patrol Sgt. Glenn Edwards detected a “strong odor” of alcohol on Doctor’s breath, according to the arrest affidavit. Doctor did not perform roadside sobriety maneuvers satisfactorily.
A Breathalyzer test indicated Doctor had a blood alcohol content of 0.093. A BAC higher than 0.08 is considered driving under the influence in Colorado.
Doctor agreed to a blood test, and results are pending, said Patrol Lt. Rex Brinkerhoff.
Doctor’s sister and a 6-year-old were in his car, the affidavit said. The child was not secured in an approved child restraint system, only a regular seat belt, the report says. Doctor said the vehicle was not insured.
He told officers he had not been drinking alcohol that day, but had been the previous night.
Doctor, 25, has been charged with vehicular homicide, operating an uninsured vehicle, careless driving, driving under the influence, child abuse and failing to provide child restraint.
He remained in custody on a $50,000 bond, said 22nd Judicial District Attorney Matt Margeson.
A GoFundMe page has been started to help support the Beeson family with medical and funeral costs. To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/travis-beeson-medical-memorial-fund.
Tyler Brown of the Durango Herald contributed to this article.
