Domestic dispute leads to high-speed accident in Basalt

The Aspen Times ^ | 06/01/2012 | Scott Condon

[moonshinner_09]

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 1/2 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.

Diaz fled the scene, zipped through streets in the Southside subdivision to Highway 82 and then headed west at a high rate of speed, according to authorities. The following are details of the accident supplied by Paxton and the Colorado State Patrol:

Diaz allegedly ran a red light at the Highway 82 intersection with Willits Lane, close to the Willits Town Center. Alvarez also allegedly ran the light as a 2008 Audi was turning toward Aspen on Highway 82 from the north side of the intersection. Alvarez swerved at the last moment, according to witnesses, and struck the front of the Audi.

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Alvarez and Diaz were booked in Pitkin County Jail because the ramming near the high school occurred in Pitkin County, Paxton said. The five-vehicle accident happened in Eagle County. Alvarez and Diaz are allegedly not in the country legally, Paxton said. That means that even if they can post bond, they will remain detained until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement explores their cases, she said.

Just committing the crimes honest American citizens won't commit

I hope they don't become accidentally deported..

[GreatRoad]

That’s no way to treat an Audi.

[Paladin2]

Let’s boogie in Basalt. ( a cry from the 70’s when the valley was less populated.)

[Paladin2]

"Just committing the crimes honest American citizens won't commit "

Another reason to do the skiing that the rest of America doesn't want to do in MT.

[Frank_2001]

He could be a molester, and the wife went nuts (giving a 16-year old a “ride” to school?!) Why didn’t she go to the cops???

[ApplegateRanch]

He could be a molester, and the wife went nuts (giving a 16-year old a “ride” to school?!) Why didn’t she go to the cops???

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Considering they all, including the girl’s mother, live under the same roof, it would be “rides” in the bedroom that should be more concerning than a ride to school.