Scott E. Chilleen of Arizona will face a trial on charges including vehicular homicide and DUI after a crash that killed a woman on Colorado Highway 184 in November 2021.
Chilleen also faces charges of vehicular assault DUI and leaving the scene of an accident, said District Attorney Matt Margeson.
Chilleen has pleaded not guilty on all charges. The trial is set for March 6-10 at Montezuma County Combined Courts.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, Chilleen was driving a Chevy truck east on Colorado Highway 184 northwest of Mancos when he crashed off the road at mile marker 21 at midnight Nov. 17, 2021.
Passenger Mary J. Murphy was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Murphy lived part-time in Arizona and Mancos, according to Montezuma County Coroner George Deavers.
A 22-year-old male passenger from Texas was seriously injured in the crash and taken to Southwest Memorial Hospital.
According to law enforcement reports, Chilleen left the scene and was found walking more than a mile away. He was given sobriety tests and arrested.
Chilleen was released on a $100,000 cash or surety bond, according to court records.
During a court hearing Wednesday, Chief Judge Todd Plewe allowed Chilleen to return to Arizona pending the trial and ruled the prosecution could have hair samples found in the vehicle analyzed determine which occupant they belong to.
Margeson said it was important to determine where the individuals were seated in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Defense attorneys are seeking an accident reconstruction analysis.
