RSSMan guilty in DUI wreck that injured 3 in monument
Timothy Tyler
A Grand Junction man accused of critically injuring three people in a drunk-driving accident earlier this year on Colorado National Monument will face a maximum six-year prison term.
Timothy Tyler, 22, pleaded guilty Wednesday to vehicular assault while DUI, in addition to misdemeanor charges of obstructing telephone service and false reporting, Prosecutors under a plea agreement will dismiss remaining charges and sentencing would be left at the discretion of District Judge Richard Gurley. The judge could impose anything from probation, another community-based sentence or a prison term of no more than six years.
Tyler had an initial blood-alcohol level of 0.119 when tested just before 6 a.m. May 29 hours after a single-vehicle crash, Deputy District Attorney Todd Hildebrandt said.
Tyler was behind the wheel of a Honda Civic that careened down an embankment as it was speeding up the east entrance of Colorado National Monument, according to an arrest affidavit. The Colorado State Patrol estimated the Honda was moving around 80 mph at the time of the crash. The area has a posted speed limit of 25 mph.
Three passengers suffered serious injuries in the crash. Hildebrandt told the judge restitution will top $21,000 for just one passenger, while the District Attorney’s Office is waiting for medical bills for the remaining two victims.
Tyler is free on bond and scheduled to be sentenced in November.
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