Woman who survived crash likely faces criminal charges
Grand Junction – The woman who was unconscious and pinned underneath her boyfriend’s body for four days remained in fair condition at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction on Sunday.
Amy Beth Thompson, 27, and Christopher Allen Miller, 37, crashed in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo on Oct. 16 about five miles east of Delta. The wreck was discovered Thursday by a passer-by.
The Monte Carlo was driven by Thompson.
Miller was a passenger along with Thompson’s Chesapeake Bay retriever.
Miller died after the Monte Carlo rolled over.
The dog was not injured.
Families of Thompson and Miller couldn’t be reached for comment Sunday.
Authorities said alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash, but declined to say what evidence was found at the scene.
Thompson will likely face criminal charges after the investigation into the crash is completed, said State Patrol Cpl. Duane Larson.
Both Thompson and Miller had prior drug charges in their criminal history, according to Colorado court records.
Thompson had a warrant out for her arrest at the time of the crash for failing to appear in Garfield County District Court on drug charges.
WELLINGTON
Suspect sought in attack on woman
A woman was attacked at her front door early Sunday and sprayed in the eyes with a blinding substance, Larimer County sheriff’s officials said.
The attack occurred in the 7700 block of Fourth Street in Wellington at about 12:45 a.m.
The 65-year-old told authorities she answered the door and a man sprayed her in the eyes. As she turned to run, the man hit her in the head with his fist.
The woman screamed, and the man ran away.
Deputies searched for the man with the help of dogs but were unable to find him.
The woman was taken to Poudre Valley Hospital, where she was treated for a head wound and sent home.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Larimer County sheriff’s dispatchers at 970-416-1985.
ARAPAHOE BASIN
Second ski resort opens for the season
Arapahoe Basin on Sunday became the second Colorado ski area to open for the season after a two-day delay to build its snow base.
A-Basin’s chief operating officer, Alan Henceroth, said turnout was good and one run was open with an 18-inch base.
“We’re open. Turnout is really good, the snow is great. It’s a wonderful, sunny, Rocky Mountain day,” he said.
The ski area had planned to kick off its season Friday but held off because of the warm weather. A-Basin has been making snow thanks to nighttime temperatures in the 20s.
Loveland, which was up and running on Oct. 14, was the first ski area in the nation to open.
DENVER
Cheney to attend O’Donnell reception
Vice President Dick Cheney will be in Denver today to attend a reception for congressional candidate Rick O’Donnell, who is running for the seat being vacated by fellow Republican Bob Beauprez.
Cheney will speak at a gathering at Invesco Field at Mile High.
O’Donnell is executive director of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. He is seeking the Republican nomination in the 7th Congressional District.
Beauprez is running for governor.
WELD COUNTY
Jail employee quits amid allegations
A Weld County jailer accused of providing alcohol to minors at her house has resigned.
A sheriff’s spokeswoman, Vicki Harbert, identified the jailer as Donna Davis, a jail employee since January 1998.
Harbert said Davis provided alcohol to two teens at her home on Sept. 24. Davis was put on administrative leave and decided to resign after an internal investigation was begun.
She is due in court Dec. 1.
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
Steamboat paper names new editor
Michael Smith, who has 15 years of experience on dailies and weeklies, has been named the new editor of the Steamboat Pilot & Today.
Smith, associate editor at The Galveston County Daily News in Galveston, Texas, will succeed Scott Stanford, who has taken a job as assistant news editor of the Victoria Advocate in Victoria, Texas.
Stanford will join his wife in Texas, where she is an assistant superintendent of schools.
Smith’s wife, Laura Elder, a veteran reporter, has accepted the position as editor of the Craig Daily Press.
The Daily Press and Pilot & Today are sister newspapers owned by WorldWest Limited Liability Co. of Lawrence, Kan.
