A judge overseeing a criminal case against a Durango mother suspected of causing a head-on crash that killed her 8-year-old daughter recused herself from the case Tuesday.
La Plata County Judge Martha Minot said she is familiar with some of the circumstances and individuals involved, and therefore felt more comfortable having the case reassigned to another judge.
A court administrator will assign the case to a different judge in coming weeks.
Neysha Candelaria, 32, is cited with careless driving causing death.
The crash occurred at 8:23 a.m. April 18 about 1.6 miles north of the New Mexico border on La Plata Highway (Colorado Highway 140).
None of the five children in the minivan wore seat belts, including Mia Martinez, 8, who was killed in the crash.
According to police, Candelaria was driving north when she hit a patch of snow and ice and lost control of her 2005 Chevrolet Uplander. The van crossed the center line into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a 2009 Kia Sorento, driven by Mindy Walck of Hesperus, who was injured.
Candelaria’s Durango defense attorney, Jason Eley, said he anticipates reaching a plea agreement in the case.
Her next court appearance is set for 9 a.m. Oct. 18 in La Plata County.
shane@durangoherald.com