Antonito teen dies in head-on crash

ALAMOSA — Jadyn Quintana, 18, of Antonito died Monday night, February 26, in a head-on collision on Highway 285 near Estrella.

Alamosa Deputy Coroner Alejo pronounced Quintana dead at the scene after the 2001 Toyota Camry she was driving collided head on with a U-Haul truck pulling a trailer driven by Keith Jones, 54, of Grenville, New Mexico.

The crash occurred February 26 at 8:47 p.m. approximately six miles north of La Jara.

Colorado State Patrol troopers responded to the crash and are continuing investigation into its cause. It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.

On scene State Patrol investigation determined the Toyota Camry driven by Quintana was southbound on Highway 285. The Toyota drove into the northbound lane and collided head on with the U-Haul truck.  After the collision the Toyota rotated counter clockwise off the west side of the road into the borrow pit and came to rest on its wheels facing south. 

The U-Haul drove off the east side of the road and rolled onto its right side coming to rest facing west. The driver of the U-Haul and a 60-year-old passenger had minor injuries, according to the State Patrol.

About half an hour after the Highway 285 crash on Monday, State Patrol troopers were called to the scene of a second head-on collision with injuries. According to Trooper Trevor Moden, Jennifer Jeffs, 39, of Alamosa and her daughter, who was a passenger in the vehicle, were transported to the Alamosa hospital with non-life threatening injuries when the Ford Escort they were traveling in was struck by a Mercury Sable driven by Randall Martin, 62, of Alamosa.

The accident occurred at 9:20 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26, at the intersection of North River Road and 4.5 South. According to Moden, Martin took the corner too sharp and ran into the Jeffs vehicle head on. Martin was cited for DUI and careless driving.