Jefferson County prosecutors say they expect to file criminal charges Tuesday against a 16-year-old Green Mountain High School student following a head-on crash that killed Samara Stricklen, 17.
The 16-year-old girl was driving a sport utility vehicle that collided with a car Tuesday night in Lakewood. The car was carrying Samara and was driven by her friend Seth Mutsch ler, 20, who was critically injured.
Prosecutors are reviewing the case, and police continue to investigate while the 16-year- old driver is held on $10,000 bail at Mount View Detention Center, Pam Russell, spokeswoman for the Jefferson County district attorney’s office, said Thursday.
The Denver Post is withholding the teen’s name because she is a juvenile and has not been charged with a crime.
Police say alcohol is a suspected factor in the crash.
An off-duty policeman said he was almost hit in the collision. He told 9News that he could smell alcohol on the 16-year-old driver’s breath.
Lakewood police say the teen is under investigation for vehicular homicide, among other offenses.
The teenager did not post bond Thursday, Russell said. The teen, a top gymnast at Green Mountain, is due back in court to hear the charges Wednesday.
Nanette Lafleur, 16, Jessica Curran, 17, and an unidentified boy were in the SUV at the time of the crash at West Alameda Parkway and West Florida Drive.
The four were on their way to drop off Lafleur and Curran at Lafleur’s house for a sleepover, Curran said Thursday. The girls had just left a lacrosse game at the time of the collision, she said.
Police did not disclose where the 16-year-old driver originated her trip.
Lakewood police spokesman Steve Davis said all the passengers inside the SUV have been treated at a hospital and released.
Stricklen, who recently transferred from Green Mountain to Bear Creek High School, and Mutschler were on their way to a movie when their car was hit.
Stricklen died at Swedish Medical Center.
Mutschler remained in critical condition Thursday at St. Anthony Central Hospital.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
