Teen high during fatal crash, says prosecutor

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 3, 2003 | by BILL HETHCOCK

Speed on the pavement and in the bloodstream of a driver cost two lives, a prosecutor said Wednesday in opening remarks in a vehicular homicide trial.

Adrian Martinez, 18, is charged in the deaths of passengers, John Pete Salaz III, 18, and Dustin Alford, 19. All are from Colorado Springs.

Martinez also is charged with vehicular assault, racing, reckless driving, driving under the influence involving a death, possession of a concealed weapon and driving without a license or insurance.

Salaz died in the back seat of Martinez's 1989 Ford Probe about 5 a.m. June 14. He died of head injuries caused when Martinez crashed after racing a Ford Explorer driven by Levi Edward Hearn, prosecutor Jeanne Wilson said. Alford died 12 days later. Hearn, 19, and three passengers in the 1993 Explorer were not seriously injured.

The cars reached speeds of 60 mph in a 30 mph zone as they headed west on West Colorado Avenue near 33rd Street, Wilson said. The Probe slid into the Explorer and smashed sideways into a telephone pole, Wilson said. Martinez was high on methamphetamine, or speed, as he drove, she said.

Public defender Cynthia Jones said the cars weren't racing. Hearn and Martinez, who knew each other, met by chance at a gas station and left in the same direction, she said.

The Explorer lost traction on a curve, hit a curb and bounced into the Probe, Jones said.