Police are investigating whether alcohol played a role in a head-on crash Friday morning in the 1800 block of Main Avenue in Durango.
The crash was reported at 9:04 a.m. when a northbound blue Chevy Malibu crossed the median and struck a white Chevrolet Suburban, said Cmdr. Jacob Dunlop of the Durango Police Department.
“Evidence in the vehicle leads us to believe alcohol may be a factor,” he said. “That and driving behavior.”
However, a woman who identified herself only as an employee with Mercy Hospital said lab tests show no evidence of alcohol use involving the driver.
Dunlop later said police received the same information from Mercy Hospital, but he said the investigation into “impaired driving” and what happened during the hour leading up to the crash remains ongoing.
“Our officers investigating the crash are aware of that claim (test results being negative for alcohol) and so it’s being taken into consideration with the totality of the investigation,” Dunlop said.
“This is an active, dynamic, ongoing investigation,” he added. “And just because things on scene led us to believe something, it doesn’t necessarily mean that that’s the direction the investigation is going to go.”
Police identified the driver of the Malibu as Mario Garcia, 30, of Durango.
Garcia was taken to Mercy Hospital in serious condition and was possibly fighting for his life, police said.
The driver of the Suburban was identified as Justin Travis, 51, of Durango. His passenger was Genevieve Travis, 42, also of Durango.
Both were taken to Mercy Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. However, Justin Travis was airlifted to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood.
Investigators reviewed surveillance video from a nearby gas station and could see the Malibu traveling northbound in the southbound lane, Dunlop said. There were no tire marks to suggest he suddenly swerved into oncoming traffic.
Police have no idea why Garcia was driving on the wrong side of the road.
Investigators are awaiting blood work and other evidentiary items before making a final determination about whether impairment is involved, Dunlop said.
The southbound lane of Main Avenue was closed for several hours from about 20th Street to 18th Street, and northbound traffic was reduced to one lane. Police planned to conduct an extensive crash analysis before clearing the scene given the seriousness of injuries, Dunlop said.
Air bags deployed in both vehicles. Police said speed is not believed to be a factor in the crash, but officers noted there were no skid marks by either vehicle.
shane@durangoherald.com
