Driver In Fatal Highway 285 Crash Not Tested For Impairment Until 15 Hours Later
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- The Colorado State Patrol is searching for witnesses to a deadly crash that left three people dead near Conifer on Highway 285 on Aug. 14, 2015.
Alex Granillo-Alvarado of Thornton, has been arrested for his role in the crash and faces vehicular homicide charges. Troopers believe he was drinking at the time of the crash.
The single-vehicle crash happened on Highway 285 near mile point 239.1 about 11 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2015. Troopers believe the BMW was traveling between 95-107 miles per hour at the time of the crash and rolled 2 1/2 times before coming to a stop.
A witness saw the vehicle leave the road but could not find the car. The victims were found the next morning outside the vehicle.
The driver, Granillo-Alvarado, 23, survived the crash and was rushed to the hospital.
Samantha Manzanares-Benavidez, 23; Chelsey Gallegos, 25; and Sean Muniz, 22; all cousins, died at the scene.
"We lost a daughter, a sister, a niece; and this was completely preventable … had the guy just been driving and obeying the traffic laws," said Chelsey Gallegos' father Anthony Gallegos, who is a police officer.
According to court documents, Granillo-Alvarado recovered at both St. Anthony Hospital and Craig Hospital.
The documents also state a flight nurse with Flight for Life said Granillo-Alvarado admitted he had been drinking "while" driving at the time of the crash, but because of the time lapse between the crash and when he was found he wasn't tested for impairment until 15 hours after the crash. Tests showed he wasn't intoxicated.
Investigators hope anyone who saw the crash or the vehicle before the crash will come forward with the information. Authorities have provided a picture of a 2008 BMW similar to the one that crashed.
"There are some individuals that we believe do have information, perhaps saw a portion of the driving prior to the crash that may have had prior contact with law enforcement," Jefferson County District Attorney Pete Weir said.
The family hopes any witnesses will help explain what happened.
"This is a lot harder than losing a daughter, it's like losing two daughters to us," victim's mother Dominica Ferguson said.
Statement From Sean Muniz's Family
Sean always had a smile and knew how to make the day better. He loved his two brothers and two sisters very much and was the perfect big brother. To my wife and I he was our hero. He helped us in any way he could. He loved basketball and looked forward to joining the Coast Guard before his life was cut short. He will be missed dearly.
LINK: Sean Muniz's GoFundMe Page
Additional Information From The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office
Anyone who was in the area at that time is asked to contact DA Investigator Kevin Sagar at 303-271-6800.