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17-year-old Durango woman dies in car crash

Woman only one of four occupants not wearing seatbelt, authorities say

A 17-year-old Durango woman died Friday night after a car she was riding in went off the road in Durango West II and struck a tree.

Trooper Nate Reid, a public information officer with the Colorado State Patrol office in Denver, identified the woman as Mercedez Lynn Farley. He said Farley was transported to Mercy Regional Medical Center, where she died.

According to Colorado State Patrol Capt. Adrian Driscoll, a 2002 Audi S6 driven by 22-year-old Benjamin Keil, of Durango, was westbound on the 200 block of Fir Drive around 10:30 p.m. when he failed to navigate a turn and struck a tree.

Driscoll said four occupants were in the vehicle. Keil and passengers David Myers, 20, of Durango and Angela Rosales, 23, of Durango, all sustained minor to moderate injuries, he said.

The Colorado State Patrol said Farley was the only one of the four occupants not wearing a seatbelt.

Driscoll said excessive speed and alcohol are suspected, and that charges are pending against the driver, Keil.

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