A 23-year-old Ignacio woman was killed early Sunday morning when the car she was riding in was involved in a single-vehicle accident at Three Springs. The female driver, also from Ignacio, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, the Colorado State Patrol reported. Additional charges may be filed pending completion of the investigation.
Leah Tsosie was a passenger in the 2008 Dodge Avenger driven by Rachel Alires, 30. The vehicle was eastbound on U.S. Highway 160 approaching Three Springs Boulevard at about 1:30 a.m. when the accident occurred, Trooper Josh Lewis said.
Alires was apparently driving in the right-turn-only lane, but instead of turning onto Three Springs, continued eastbound on Highway 160, Lewis said. She ran into the median and hit the traffic light pole, with the car ending up facing southwest in the eastbound lane, he said.
Even though both were wearing seat belts, Tsosie was pronounced dead at Mercy Regional Medical Center, Lewis said. Alires also was transported to Mercy and was treated for minor injuries.
There is no indication as of Sunday afternoon that speed was a factor in the accident, Lewis said.
The accident closed U.S. Highway 160 eastbound until about 3:55 a.m., Lewis said.
rgalin@durangoherald.com
