UPDATE: Woman, 50, dog killed when hit; driver held

By Amy Hamilton
Monday, October 3, 2011

The Colorado State Patrol has released the identities of two people who were involved in a car crash in Pear Park neighborhood on Sunday night.

Darinda L. Brown, 50, of Grand Junction was walking her dog at about 7 p.m. in the 400 block of Canyon Trail when she was struck by GMC Suburban driven by 21-year-old Joseph Weixel, of Grand Junction. The vehicle had been driving partly on the sidewalk, the CSP said.

Brown was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Brown had been walking with her granddaughter and her dog. Brown’s granddaughter was able to jump out of the way of the vehicle. The dog was struck and killed in the crash.

Cpl. Jason Jones of the Colorado State Patrol said police believe that Weixel was under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash, but it is still being investigated.