A Mancos man was arrested this week in connection with a vehicular homicide case resulting from a fatal crash on Montezuma County Road 31 on March 30.
James Ellis, 27, allegedly was driving north on Road 31 in a red 2013 Chevrolet pickup truck along with two passengers about 11:30 p.m. March 30, according to Colorado State Patrol Sgt. James Saunders. Just north of Colorado Highway 184 on Road 31, Ellis allegedly lost control of the vehicle, which traveled off the left side of the road and rolled multiple times, Saunders said. After striking a mailbox, power box, parked motorcycle, propane tank and a tree, the truck came to rest on its wheels, Saunders said.
During the roll sequence, a 22-year-old female passenger was partially ejected from the truck and sustained fatal injuries, according to Saunders. The other passenger, a 31-year-old male, had only minor injuries, he said.
None of the passengers in the truck were wearing seatbelts, and alcohol was a factor in the crash, Saunders said. Ellis allegedly fled the accident scene on foot after the crash, Saunders added.
Montezuma County Sheriff Sgt. Brad Ray arrested Ellis on a warrant about 1 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, according to Ray’s sheriff’s office press report. Ellis contacted Ray to turn himself in, the report states.
The Colorado State Patrol warrants involved charges of vehicular homicide – driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident causing death, vehicular homicide – reckless driving, driving under the influence and failure to display proof of insurance.
Though Ellis had a back injury, he was cleared for admittance to the Monteuzma County Jail after a medical evaluation at Southwest Memorial Hospital, according to Ray’s report. Ray noted in the report that Ellis made no admissions or statements during his interaction. Ray said Ellis was cooperative and said he would have turned himself in when the warrant was issued, but he was not aware that it had been issued.
Saunders said the death in the crash could have been prevented.
“We always reemphasize that this didn’t have to happen,” he said. “We always remind people to wear seatbelts and not drive under the influence. The outcome (of the crash) could have been different.”