Aurora – The 16-year-old driver in a crash that killed two of his Smoky Hill High classmates on South Parker Road will be cited with five misdemeanors for careless driving and several traffic infractions in the Dec. 27 wreck.
Police say Michael Stillwagon told detectives he became distracted while driving the 2002 Kia when someone from the rear seat grabbed his arm or the steering wheel, causing him to lose control of the car.
The Kia crossed the median and slammed into two oncoming cars. Both 17-year-old rear-seat passengers, Ian Wallace and Joshua Bankett-Land, died. They weren’t wearing seat belts.
A police accident reconstruction based on skid marks and reports from the scene confirmed the car abruptly swerved to the left and then was jerked to the right.
Seventeen-year-old Alton Coward, who was in the front passenger seat, told investigators that both Bankett-Land and Wallace were “goofing off” but that he didn’t see anyone reach from behind because he was text-messaging someone on his cell phone.
Coward sustained minor injuries and Stillwagon suffered a broken nose and other minor injuries.
Coward, reached today, wouldn’t comment. Phone messages left with the families of Stillwagon and the family of Wallace weren’t returned. Bankett-Land’s family couldn’t be reached for comment.
The misdemeanor charges carry a possible sentencing range of zero to one year in jail for each count and fines of between $100 to $1,000.The other charges could include jail, fines, community service or points against Stillwagon’s driver’s license. The sentencing would be determined later by a judge.
Stillwagon also was cited under a new law that forbids minors from having other teenaged passengers in their first six months of owning their license. Stillwagon had obtained his license in September, police said. And he was cited for a seatbelt violation. State law demands that a driver under 17 ensure that all occupants wear their seatbelts.
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office had been consulted on the charges, according to Kathleen Walsh, DA spokeswoman.
“Based on the facts of the case, we agree with the charges,” she said.
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer may be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
