GLENWOOD TEEN CHARGED IN FATAL DUI CRASH
Glenwood Springs—A Glenwood Springs teen is facing a long prison sentence for a drunk driving crash that killed a Carbondale girl last month. 19 year old Gerardo Banda was officially charged with two counts of vehicular homicide for the May 14th rollover accident on Thompson Creek Road near Carbondale that claimed the life of 17 year old Ayleen Alvarado. The car tumbled down a 200 foot ravine and landed upside down. Banda and Alvarado were both ejected in the crash and four others in the car suffered minor injuries. Banda, who’s blood alcohol level was measured at .115, is facing a half dozen charges in all including four counts of vehicular assault. Banda’s next day in court is June 15th.
SKELETAL REMAINS ID’D AS RIFLE MAN
Glenwood Springs—The skeletal remains found by a hiker on Lookout Mountain about two months ago belonged to a local man who’s been missing for over four years. Garfield County Coroner Robert Glassmire says a forensic odontologist from Colorado Springs was hired to examine a jaw, a skull and other bone fragments as well as dental and medical records to determine they belonged to 40 year old Thomas Norberg of Rifle. When notified, Norberg’s relatives said they hadn’t seen or heard from him since 2012 when he was put in jail for assault. He was released in January of 2013 and was never heard from after that. Glassmire says the cause of death is will take a forensic anthropologist several months to determine.
WILDFIRE BURNING NEAR UTAH-COLORADO STATE LINE
Vernal, UT—A 25-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 40 had to be closed for a while due to a wildfire burning between Vernal, Utah and Dinosaur, Colorado. The fire, believed to be human caused, burned over 900 acres of cheat grass and brush but BLM officials say no structures are in danger. Officials say a combination of shifting winds and a series of backfires set by crews Tuesday night caused the flames to move away from the highway which was later reopened to traffic.
TANKER FIRE SHUTS DOWN I-25 NEAR TECH CENTER
GREENWOOD VILLAGE (AP) – Interstate 25 outside Denver is back open after a tanker fire shut down the highway. All lanes were open in both directions in time for Thursday’s commute after crews worked through the night to repair damage from Wednesday’s fire.
ANOTHER MOUNTAIN PASS OPENS FOR SEASON
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK (AP) – Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is open for the season, but park officials are warning visitors to be prepared for icy conditions. The road, which connects Estes Park on the east and Grand Lake on the west, opened Wednesday. The scenic route is the highest continuous paved road in the United States and reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet. It typically opens on Memorial Day weekend, but that was delayed this year because of a late spring snowstorm.
