Teen cited in car crash that killed his mother

By The AP
Friday, August 13, 2010

MONTROSE — A 16-year-old Montrose boy involved in a car crash that killed his mother has been cited for careless driving.

The boy apparently fell asleep while driving with his mother Tuesday. He ran off U.S. 550 near Colona and his truck rolled and hit a tree. Thirty-six-year-old Maria Elena Matinez-Torrez, was killed instantly.

The State Patrol cited the boy for careless driving resulting in death, a misdemeanor, but it will be up to prosecutors to decide whether to file charges.

Family friend Lupe Torres says the boy had worked all day in Telluride and had stopped with his mother at a garage sale on their way back home. He reluctantly agreed to drive his mother back in a bigger vehicle to pick up their purchase and the accident happened on that second trip.