The woman who died in a one-vehicle crash April 14 on U.S. Highway 491 has been identified as Britany N. Montoya, 32, of Georgetown, Texas, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Three other people were injured in the crash, which occurred south of Dove Creek at mile maker 58 about 9:40 a.m.
The 2005 Chevy Malibu with Utah license plates was southbound on U.S. 491 when it went off the west shoulder, hit a tree then hit a barbed wire fence and a tree stump, said Trooper Josh Lewis.
Driver fatigue is suspected as a contributing factor for the crash, he said.
The driver, Aaron Ochoa, 29, was charged with suspected careless driving causing death, two charges of careless driving causing injury, driving without insurance, and driving without a seatbelt.
Two of the injured passengers were children. A six year-old male suffered serious injuries, Lewis said, and was buckled in a car booster seat.
A nine-year old sustained moderate injuries and was using a seatbelt.
Ochoa was also injured. All victims were taken to Southwest Memorial Hospital.
Montoya was flown from the crash scene by a Flight for Life helicopter, and later died from her injuries. All four occupants reportedly were from Georgetown, Texas.
The crash occurred 3 miles south of Dove Creek. Traffic was initially allowed through on an alternating lane basis, according to the preliminary report.
The highway was then closed around 10:30 a.m. to allow for the helicopter to land and transport the injured female.
It reopened about 11:45 a.m.
“It was a terrible wreck, the vehicle was torn apart,” said Judy Johnson, a traveler who waited for the highway to reopen.
jmimiaga @the-journal.com
