THORNTON - Monica Chavez pleaded not guilty Monday morning in regards to her five counts of criminally-negligent homicide and child abuse due to a car crash that killed a family of five in February in Thornton.
Chavez, 34, admitted to Thornton Police in May when she turned herself in that she has had two seizures, one just six months before the accident.
In a court document, Chavez admits in 2006, she passed out and had a seizure at a grocery store.
She went to the doctor and was told to go see a neurologist, and until cleared, she was told not to drive. Chavez never went to the neurologist. She says she couldn't afford to go.
"When doctors tell you 'do not drive' they generally mean it and by failing to follow up on the doctors recommendation, Monica Chavez not only caused the death of 5 people but is facing serious felony charges as a consequence," says 9NEWS Legal Analyst Scott Robinson.
In an interview with police, Chavez revealed another occasion just six months before the accident when she passed out and had a seizure in a parking lot.
Chavez didn't see a doctor, saying this time it was because of dehydration.
"The significance of Chavez telling authorities about having a seizure just last year cannot really be exaggerated .... because that's so much closer to the time of the accident," said Robinson.
On Feb. 17, Chavez was driving with her kids in the car near the intersection of East 84th Avenue and Grant Street in Thornton when her car hit a median, became airborne and landed on another SUV killing all five people inside.
The victims were Randy and Crystal Dawn Stollsteimer and their three young boys.
Dr. Kirsten Bracht, with the Colorado Neurological Institute, says this accident should never have happened.
"It really is unfortunate [because] this may have been preventable. There are treatments and many times we are able to get the seizures under control," said Bracht.
Robinson says because Chavez knew of her medical condition and drove anyway, she's facing much more serious charges.
"Any time someone is told by a doctor 'do not drive,' they are running an enormous risk to civil and criminal liability if they disregard the doctor's orders," said Robinson.
Scott Robinson says Chavez is facing up to 30 years in prison. By Colorado law, doctors do not report a medical condition to the DMV. It is up to the driver to make the right decision.
Pastor Mark Lopez asks people to reserve judgment on Chavez until they hear the whole story.
"This is a mother of two children that is well-respected, deeply loved," said Pastor Lopez.
Pastor Lopez of the Westside Christian Fellowship in Denver is a close family friend of the Chavez family and acted as their spokesperson.
"As you can imagine, they are in a state of shock right now," said Lopez. "Almost disbelief, pain - physical as well as emotional. [Monica] doesn't remember anything, so a lot of details of what's happened and the questioning has just confused her deeply," said Lopez.
Chavez has had some run-ins with the law. She had two warrants for her arrest for identity theft and possession of a controlled substance.
But, Lopez says those troubles are just a small part of a woman he describes as very faithful to God.
"The school, the principal, they know her well as a mother deeply involved in the lives of her children," said Lopez.
10-year-old Serriah and 5-year-old George were in the car with her at the time of the crash.
"Bumps, bruises, scratches, but the kids physically are in decent shape," said Lopez. "Emotionally, that's a different story."
Chavez's mom, Gloria Barela, said Chavez did not have alcohol or drugs in her system. That is according to the documents Barela said Chavez received when discharged from the hospital this weekend.
"The doctor said they came out clear, there was no drugs, no alcohol involved," Barela said.
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