More details have emerged about a four-vehicle crash that killed an Aztec woman Friday evening.
Jennifer Powers, 35, was pronounced dead on the scene near Bondad. She was driving a 2013 Ford Focus north on U.S. Highway 550.
“For some reason, she crossed over the center line, and we’re still investigating why,” said Capt. Adrian Driscoll of the Colorado State Patrol. “No alcohol or drugs are suspected, and there was no excessive speed.”
Powers struck a southbound 2014 Ford 150 driven by 42-year-old Durango resident Robert Lee, and the Ford Focus came to rest in the area of the center line. It was then struck by two vehicles, a 2007 GMC Denali driven by 36-year-old Farmington resident Yolanda Griswold, which was following Powers in the northbound lane, and a 2012 Ram 1500 pickup driven by 18-year-old Bayfield resident Andrew Standley, headed south behind the Ford pickup driven by Lee.
Powers’ passengers, Frank Coleman, 32, and a 12-year-old boy, were transported to Mercy Regional Medical Center with minor injuries, Driscoll said. Lee’s passenger, 62-year-old Vicki Jackson of Moriarty, New Mexico, was taken to Mercy with moderate injuries.
The accident occurred at about 6 p.m. at mile marker 3.5, Driscoll said, just south of the bridge that crosses the Animas River on Highway 550.
The road was closed more than three hours, reopening at 9:35 p.m. Traffic was diverted to La Posta Road (County Road 213) and County Road 318.
abutler@durangoherald.com
