DENVER—A woman charged with criminally negligent homicide in a crash in Thornton that killed a family of five now faces new charges of child abuse.
Thirty-four-year-old Monica Chavez was originally charged with five counts of criminally negligent homicide after the crash Feb. 17 that killed Randy and Crystaldawn Stollsteimer and their three sons, ages 7, 9 and 12.
Prosecutors allege Chavez had experienced a seizure-like episode in 2006 and ignored a doctor’s orders not to drive until she saw a neurologist. An arrest affidavit says Chavez allegedly told investigators she couldn’t afford to see a specialist.
The Denver Post reports the two new counts of child abuse allege Chavez was responsible for injuries to her own children, who were riding in her vehicle with her.
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Information from: The Denver Post,
