Woman was drunk and high in crash that killed Las Animas deputy, woman and child
Colorado State Patrol says the multi-vehicle crash that claimed the lives of a Las Animas County deputy, a woman, and her child in December was caused by the woman involved.
CSP released an update Thursday after the crash on Dec. 12.
Sgt. Matthew Moreno, Taelor Roybal, and Roybal’s one-year-old son, Ezekiel Valdez, all died in the crash on Highway 12.
CSP said Roybal was impaired by either alcohol or drugs when she was driving east on Highway 12. Four deputies were traveling west between Valdez and Trinidad on their way to a domestic disturbance.
Investigators say Roybal was going 96 mph when she approached a curve in a 45-mph zone, and she lost control before entering the westbound lanes. That’s where she struck Moreno’s car head-on.
Police say Roybal’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and she had a significant amount of oxycontin in her system, which contributed to the crash.
Moreno was ejected from his vehicle and wound up off the side of the road in a ravine, CSP said.
Roybal’s vehicle turned and was hit by another deputy’s vehicle. Both of those vehicles ended up on the side of the road.
CSP says Roybal and Moreno weren’t wearing their seat belts, and Ezekiel’s car seat wasn’t properly secured.
No criminal charges will be filed as a result of the crash.
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We’re learning the names of the people killed in a three-car crash involving Las Animas County deputies that happened Wednesday night on Highway 12.
Colorado State Patrol said two Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were on their way to a call when they were involved in a crash with a civilian’s car just east of Valdez.
Sgt. Matthew Moreno was killed in the crash, as was the civilian, Taelor Roybal. The woman’s one-year-old son, Ezekiel Valdez, also died.
Two other deputies suffered injuries.
CSP is still investigating what caused the crash.
Previous Story:
Three people, including a Las Animas County Sheriff’s deputy, were killed in a three-car crash east of Valdez.
Colorado State Patrol says deputies in two patrol cars were responding to a possible domestic violence call just after 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, when they were involved in a crash with a civilian’s car on Highway 12.
The driver and a child in the civilian’s car were killed. A Las Animas County deputy was transported to the hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
The two other deputies suffered minor to moderate injuries.
Highway 12 was shut down for several hours after the crash but has since reopened. At this time we don’t the names of anyone involved.
The crash is still under investigation. At this time no charges have been filed. This is a developing story. This story will update as we learn more information.
