WELD COUNTY — A 5-year-old girl died in a Weld County traffic accident Friday afternoon, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The two-vehicle collision happened about 1 p.m. on U.S. 85, just south of the Colorado 52 interchange, said Master Trooper Ron Watkins.
A GMC Envoy was southbound when the driver, identified as Esperanza Garza, 39, of Fort Lupton, lost control and the sport utility vehicle went through the median and hit a northbound Ford F-250 pickup driven by Bradly Courtnage, 43, of Thornton.
Garza’s 5-year-old daughter was ejected from the SUV and pronounced dead at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt.
A 16-year-old passenger wearing her seat belt suffered minor injuries and Garza’s 2-year-old son, who was properly restrained, suffered moderate injuries, the patrol said. Garza’s 19-year-old son, Isreal Magdaleno, was not wearing a belt and suffered moderate injuries. Courtnage and his two passengers suffered minor injuries.
State Patrol investigators said Garza was attempting a lane change when she lost control of her vehicle.
