4 teens killed in Santa Fe crash

Posted at: 06/28/2009 9:56 AM | Updated at: 07/01/2009 3:21 PM
By: Charlie Pabst, KOB.com; Valerie Castro, Eyewitness News 4

Santa Fe County Sheriff's deputies say an intoxicated man was driving on Old Las Vegas Highway when he crossed the center lane just after midnight, Sunday. A 16-year-old driving in the opposite direction tried to swerve out of the way, but was unable to do so in time. The four passengers of that vehicle are dead, the driver in critical condition.

Deputies say 28-year-old Scott Owens struck the teens' car, which was headed to a house party from a Sonic restaurant, instantly killing 15-year-old Rose Simmons, 16-year-old Julian Martinez, Alyssa Trouw, and Kate Klein. The driver, 16-year-old Avree Kaufmann, was airlifted to UNM Hospital, in critical condition.

The teens were students at Monte del Sol charter school and Santa Fe Prep.

The spot of the accident is now marked by a roadside memorial. Friends of the teens visited the site throughout the day.

Deputies say they suspect Owens of driving drunk and they had to compel him with a search warrant to give blood for a sample for BAC testing. The results of that test may take up to three weeks to complete.

Owens was taken to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center for minor injuries and to administer the blood test.

Owens was charged with four counts of homicide by a motor vehicle. He faces more charges pending the results of the blood test.

Owens was arrested for DWI in June 2001.

Undersheriff Robert Garcia said, "Our research showed through the jail website that he had a prior arrest, I don't know if there was a conviction on this one but he had a prior arrest."

Investigators say they plan to interview Owens on Monday to see where he was prior to the crash.

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