By Ann Butler
Herald Staff Writer
Members of a Durango family, two adults and two children, were injured in a crash Tuesday night at the intersection of U.S. Highways 550/160 and River Road.
The two children were 9 and 5. The older boy was pinned in the car and had to be cut out by Durango Fire Protection District personnel. They were transported to Mercy Regional Medical Center.
“All four received injuries, and the older boy was seriously injured, and they’re talking about flying him out,” said Sgt. Bobby Taylor with the Durango Police Department.
Taylor could not identify the family until their next of kin is notified about the crash.
The accident occurred at about 7:25 p.m. when a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado heading into Durango on Highway 550/160 turned left on to River Road in front of the 2001 Chevy Tahoe traveling southbound.
“The driver of the Tahoe swerved to avoid the collision and slid into the traffic light pole broadside,” Taylor said. “Any way you look at it, it was a bad accident.”
The driver of the Silverado was Farmington resident Jesus Gonzalez, 29, who was cited for making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic, careless driving causing bodily harm, driving with a suspended license and driving without proof of insurance. Gonzalez was not injured as the two vehicles did not make contact, Taylor said.
“To give him credit, he did stop and took full responsibility for the accident,” Taylor said.
Gonzalez was arrested after officers discovered that he was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Durango for failure to appear in court for a previous traffic citation. He was being held at the La Plata County jail Tuesday night.
abutler@durangoherald.com
