Posted: Jun 13, 2011 6:44 PM by Gene Cotton
DENVER (AP) - A woman charged with criminally negligent homicide in a crash in Thornton that killed a family of five now faces new charges of child abuse.
Thirty-four-year-old Monica Chavez was originally charged with five counts of criminally negligent homicide after the crash Feb. 17 that killed Randy and Crystaldawn Stollsteimer and their three sons, ages 7, 9 and 12.
Prosecutors allege Chavez had experienced a seizure-like episode in 2006 and ignored a doctor's orders not to drive until she saw a neurologist. An arrest affidavit says Chavez allegedly told investigators she couldn't afford to see a specialist.
The Denver Post reports the two new counts of child abuse allege Chavez was responsible for injuries to her own children, who were riding in her vehicle with her.