Rise in DUI

Rise in DUI-caused crashes concerns state patrol

Dec. 29, 2001

by Aspen C. Emmett
Journal Staff Writer

Montezuma and Dolores counties have some of the most dangerous highways in Colorado, and with the upcoming New Year’s celebration, law-enforcement agencies are asking that residents buckle up, designate a sober driver and be aware of other drivers on the roadway.

DUI-related deaths are on the increase this year, even before the notoriously dangerous New Year’s Eve holiday, said Colorado State Patrol Trooper Mike McGuire.

"It’s such a tragedy that on our highways we kill 41,000 people a year and over 16,000 of those are from DUIs, which accounts for 40 percent of all traffic-related deaths," McGuire said. "If you break that down per day, that’s 43 yesterday, 43 today and 43 tomorrow."

There were at least 14 vehicular fatalities in Montezuma and Dolores counties so far in 2001, and seven were related to driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, according to state patrol reports.

In addition, at least two area residents were killed in La Plata County in a crash caused by drugs.

Montezuma and Dolores counties are two of only eight counties in Colorado in which DUI is one of the top three reasons for crashes on the roadways, according to a CSP survey done in 1999.

In Montezuma County, for the 410 accidents reported in 1999, the most recent year for which statistics were available, the top three causes were animals on the roadway (115), inattentive driving (70), and DUI (36). In Dolores County, where there were 69 accidents, the top causes were inattentive driving (27), animals (17) and DUI (8).

In La Plata County, by contrast, animals on the roadway, lane violations and inattentive driving were the top three causes of crashes.

In 2000, the CSP wrote 9,009 citations for drinking and driving throughout the state. Fifty-nine percent of the DUI-caused crashes resulted in fatalities or injuries. When DUI was not the cause of the crash, only 31 percent resulted in fatalities or injuries.

Although there are no final statistics for 2001, the trend suggests the numbers will be even higher, McGuire said.

Area highways have seen their fair share of DUI-related deaths and injuries, with half of the fatalities to date and scores of serious injuries attributed to drivers being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The most recent fatalities believed related to drunk driving occurred on the Ute Mountain Reservation. Less than three weeks ago, three Cortez residents, including a 1-year-old girl, were killed in a two-car crash near the Four Corners Monument.

Wilson Jones, 44, of Aneth, Utah, is accused of driving drunk and causing the collision that took the lives of 20-year-old Rufus Cayaditto, 19-year-old LaTanyia Begay and 1-year-old Jasmyne Cayaditto.

Jones has since recovered from his injuries. No charges have been filed yet in the crash.

The last week in October, two teenagers were killed in an allegedly drug-related crash that seriously injured three other young passengers when their car sped through a stop sign at the intersection of county roads 29 and M and collided with another vehicle.

Thomas Quinnett, 18, and Cassie Blair, 18, died of massive head and chest injuries.

Days later, four area teens escaped serious injury in a rollover crash on U.S. Highway 160 after leaving a party in Rico at which they all had admittedly been drinking. The driver, 18-year-old Olivia Marion of Cortez, said she swerved to avoid a deer and lost control of the vehicle, sending it over an embankment.

The teens, who were not wearing seat belts, were able to get out of the vehicle but then fled the scene without reporting it to police.

Marion was later charged in the incident.

In an effort to prevent fatalities on the road this weekend, the CSP and other agencies will be beefing up their crews, said CSP Capt. Alan TeBrink.

"We’ll have quite a few people working overtime," he said. "We’ll be out in full force."

At the state level, the roadways will be heavily patrolled as well.

"Alcohol-related traffic deaths increased this year in Colorado," said Col. Lonnie Westphal, CSP chief. "All of our troop offices will be stepping up DUI enforcement to prevent these tragedies in our communities.

"We’re not asking you not to have fun; we’re asking you to be responsible...," Westphal stated in a press release. "Take two seconds to designate if you are celebrating with alcohol; take two seconds to designate for safe, sober transportation; and always take two seconds to buckle up....

"We love sober drivers and applaud the many citizens who are responsible and take a cab, appoint a designated driver or take the keys from a friend or family member who shouldn’t get behind the wheel."

The enforcement period for the New Year’s Eve holiday weekend started last night and will end at 3 a.m. on Tuesday. Last year, agencies made 394 DUI arrests statewide during the New Year’s enforcement period.