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Charge lowered in CMC Road fatal crash

John Colson
Post Independent Staff
Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado – The teenage driver in an Oct. 20 car crash that killed an 18-year-old Colorado Mountain College student will be tried as an adult, but faces only a misdemeanor charge of careless driving resulting in a death.

Demetrious Alexander Hunt, who recently turned 18 but was 17 at the time of the accident, is to be tried in Garfield County Court.

The charge and court venue was approved on Wednesday by Garfield County Judge Paul Metzger, presiding over juvenile court in Glenwood Springs.



Hunt was driving shortly before midnight on Oct. 20 when the car, with three passengers, went off the side of County Road 114, also known as the CMC Road.

Steph Zgorzynski, 18, died from injuries sustained in the crash. Hunt and the other two passengers in the car were seriously injured, according to the Colorado State Patrol. All are CMC students.



Deputy District Attorney Tony Hershey told the judge that blood tests revealed no alcohol or drugs in Hunt’s system at the time of the accident.

“This does not rise to reckless behavior,” Hershey said of Hunt’s actions that night. “This does not rise to the level of felony charges.”

After considering the evidence in the case, Hershey continued, the District Attorney’s Office concluded that it couldn’t prove the elements of vehicular homicide, and recommended that the charge be reduced.

The case was continued to Jan. 30, 2012, in county court.

jcolson@postindependent.com


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