Judge Patrick Murphy issued an arrest warrant yesterday for the woman involved in the fatal crash July 2 on Monarch Pass.
69-year-old Diane Rae Patten of Somerset was driving westbound over Monarch Pass when she crossed over the center line and collided head on with a motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of Travis and Linda York of Indiana.
Patten faces two charges of vehicular homicide, driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, two counts of careless driving causing death and driving a motor vehicle with a suspended license.
Patten admitted to a Colorado State Trooper that she had consumed beer and marijuana earlier in the day.
After a search of Patten’s car, the trooper reported finding six empty beer cans and another six pack of beer with one open can. He also found pipes and a jar of loose, un-smoked marijuana.
Her license was under suspension due to no insurance. Patten was also injured in the crash, suffering a fractured hip.
A court date will be determined pending Patten’s release from the hospital.
