The Weld County coroner’s office was to perform autopsies today on three adults and three children killed in a holiday accident Sunday near Hudson, authorities say.
Officials do not believe alcohol or drugs played a role in the wreck in a rural area north of Hudson on Sunday afternoon.
“At this time, there is nothing to suggest that,” said George Roosevelt, deputy Weld County coroner. “It appears (the driver) was just not paying attention.”
He said the autopsies would probably take all day today.
The family was in a minivan at about 1:25 p.m. on the way to a relative’s home when they passed their turnoff on County Road 49. While the driver was making a U-turn, a northbound tanker truck smashed into the left side of their vehicle, said Cpl. Eric Wynn of the Colorado State Patrol.
Adriana Ronquillo, 26, the driver, and her husband, Jose Bencomo, 33, of Thornton were killed, as well as her brother, Jamie Arais, 28, of Arizona.
Three of the Bencomo children who perished in the accident were identified as Gyareli, 6; Eddie, 4; and 9-month-old Jesus.
Wynn said it was not clear which family members, if any, were wearing seat belts.
A neighbor out working in her yard today said she had heard about the wreck from television news but had no idea the family killed was the same one that lived next door to her in Thornton for at least four years.
“Oh, my God,” she said, and put her face in her hands.
The woman, who would not give her name, said she often saw the little boy, Eddie, in the backyard. “He used to play in the back and talk to my dog and play with my dog,” she said.
She said she talked to Jose Bencomo, whom she knew as Charlie, frequently, but rarely spoke to Ronquillo.
Bencomo had his own business, maybe involving carpet laying, she thought. Ronquillo appeared to stay home with the children, the neighbor said.
The family seemed to have a lot of friends because people visited often, she said.
“It’s just so sad,” she said, standing in the family’s driveway. In front of her stood a toy shopping cart; at the end of the driveway sat a little black Matchbox car.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
