SUV Driver Charged In Death Of Family
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4)- The woman who was behind the wheel of an SUV when struck a pickup truck, crushing a family of five inside, has been charged in the crash.
Monica Chavez, 34, was charged with five counts of criminally negligent homicide.
Police in Thornton said Chavez was driving the SUV on Feb. 18 when it crossed over the median at 84th and Grant, went airborne and landed on top of the Stollsteimer's truck, killing the entire family.
Randy and Crystal Stollsteimer were killed, along with their three boys, Sebastion, 12, Darrian, 7, Cyrus, 7.
"If everyone in the world could live their lives like Randy and Crystal did with his family and do the things they've done and be the people they were, this world would be a better place," relative Hank Stollsteimer said.
Police said Chavez's SUV also struck another car and collided into a mattress store. Investigators said the SUV was reported as driving at a high rate of speed before the collisions.
Toxicology reports on Chavez show that she wasn't under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The district attorney's office hasn't released information on the negligent homicide charges or why she is being charged.
"Obviously the D.A. had enough evidence to move forward and charge her. All we can ask for is privacy, prayers and justice," relatives of the Stollsteimers said in a statement.
"Finally the lady was charged and it put a little bit of ease on the family to know that something's going to happen," Crystal's cousin Jessica Johnson said. "She took a wonderful, wonderful family. You know, nothing is going to bring them back, but I know that it's going to give my grandma a little bit of comfort."
Chavez turned herself into Thornton police Friday evening and has been released on bond.
