The Greeley Police Department announced on January 9 that 24-year-old Maribel Zavala has been charged with careless driving resulting in death related to a Greeley accident that occurred on December 29. Zavala was driving a Ford Focus with a five-year-old girl passenger, who died following the accident when a Tesla struck the passenger side of the Focus as Zavala was turning left from Highway 85 onto 22nd Street. Both vehicles spun into a semi that was stopped at the intersection.
Zavala has also been charged for driving under restraint, making a left turn in front of approaching traffic, having no proof of insurance, and not wearing a seatbelt. The drivers of the Tesla and semi were not injured in the accident. Zavala is set to appear in court on March 11.
Careless driving resulting in death is classified as a Class 1 Traffic Misdemeanor, punishable by 10 days to a year in jail and a fine of $300 to $1,000. The text of a Colorado state bill introduced last year would have increased this to a Class 6 Felony, punishable by one year to 18 months in jail. But the wording of the legislation changed, so the violation is still classified as a misdemeanor under state law…