BASALT — A domestic dispute between a midvalley couple escalated into a high-speed car chase — with speeds reported at 110 mph — that ended with a five-vehicle crash in Basalt that law enforcement officials said easily could have led to tragedy.
Jesenia Alvarez, 32, and Carlos Diaz, 36, both of the Blue Lake subdivision, are facing multiple charges in connection with the incident, which closed the eastbound lanes of Highway 82 at Willits Lane for 3 ½ hours, according to the Basalt Police Department. They are being held in Pitkin County Jail.
Basalt Sgt. Penny Paxton said Diaz and Alvarez are married. Alvarez allegedly became upset Thursday morning when Diaz gave a 16-year-old girl a ride to Basalt High School. Alvarez followed Diaz to the school in a separate vehicle, Paxton said. Diaz sped away on a school road when he realized Alvarez was tailing him and then halted for a stop sign at South Side Drive with the girl still inside, Paxton said. Alvarez allegedly rammed the 2006 Honda Odyssey van she was driving into the back of the van Diaz was driving, Paxton said.
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