Stuffed animals, flowers and other offerings are placed in front of the residence at 695 Evers Drive as a memorial for Stella Doak and her great-grandmother Debra Devries. The two were killed after a vehicle drove into the home Friday.
Tragedy struck a Green River family when a vehicle drove into their home Friday morning, claiming the lives of a one-year-old girl and her great-grandmother.
The driver, George Maestas, 68, of Green River, faces two counts of aggravated homicide by vehicle and driving under the influence of a controlled substance, causing bodily injury. Aggravated homicide by vehicle carries a potential prison sentence on up to 20 years, as well as a maximum $10,000 fine. The driving under the influence charge is punishable with a prison term of up to ten years and a $5,000 fine.
His bond was set to $1 million cash and his preliminary hearing is set for March 20 at 2:30 p.m.
According to court documents, officers with the Green River Police Department responded to 695 Evers Drive at 10:11 a.m., Friday after receiving a report of a vehicle crashing into a home. Maestas, driving a 2005 Mazda Tribute, had driven into the living room, occupied by Debra Devries, Frank Johnson, Suzette Johnson, Kylee Johnson and one-year-old Stella Doak.
Officers noticed Maestas walking from the driver's side of the vehicle and to the corner of Monroe Avenue and Evers Drive. Maestas was ordered to stay at the property. Officers also observed Maestas having slurred speech and was walking unsteadily, appearing disoriented.
Officers assisted Castle Rock Hospital District ambulance workers in prepping and transporting the residents from the home. While officers did not notice alcohol on Maestas's breath, they believed he was under the influence and was given an evaluation by a drug recognition expert, which resulted in Officer Josh Hutson believing Maestas might have been under the influence of a narcotic analgesic.
Maestas said he was given a Lortab pill at the Embassy Tavern at about 2 a.m., which he took, followed by taking a shot of Nyquil between 3-4 a.m. He told officers he woke up at 7 a.m., had a cup of coffee, left his home at 9 a.m. and travelled around Green River, stopping at friends' homes, the Embassy and Smith's Food and Drug. He said he took the vehicle he crashed in from a friend's house somewhere off of Hitching Post Drive, but did not remember driving when he made a right turn off of Hitching Post Drive to Monroe Avenue.
Later Friday, Devries died as a result of the injuries she sustained while Doak died Saturday evening.
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