Posted at: 06/29/2009 4:00 PM
Updated at: 06/29/2009 6:47 PM
By: Eyewitness News 4

Man faces 4 homicide counts in teens' deaths

The victims' car

Rose Simmons

Kate Klein

Julian Martinez

Alyssa Trouw

The man suspected of killing four teens in a wrong-way crash Sunday near Santa Fe smiled for his mugshot. But at a memorial for the victims Monday, faces were marked with tears and anger.

Scott Owens, 28, faces four counts of vehicular homicide. Pending results of a blood test, Owens, who has a prior DWI, could face even more charges.

Deputies say Owens' westbound Jeep Cherokee struck the victims' car on the eastbound lane of Old Las Vegas Highway near Santa Fe as the teens headed to a house party.

Instantly killed were 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.

Owens was taken to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center for minor injuries and administration of the blood test. Police had to obtain a search warrant to get Owens to submit to the test.

Owens was almost twice the legal limit in 2001 when he was busted for DWI. He served no jail time for the conviction.

Deputies say there were signs Sunday that Owens was driving drunk after Sunday's deadly collision.

The teens were students at Monte del Sol charter school and Santa Fe Prep. Monday, a memorial was held for the teens at Santa Fe Prep.

Will Brown, a friend of the victims, said the brutality of Sunday�s crash should get the attention of New Mexicans.

�I think this demonstrates what a huge problem (DWI is) in this state and more needs to be done,� Brown said.

Teacher Nick Wirth said it�s time for the law to get tougher on DWI offenders.

�It�s just unacceptable to continue to have these stories where these young people are dying in drunk driving accidents,� he said. Administrators say they will have grief counselors available to students throughout the summer.

Gov. Bill Richardson offered his condolences to the families of the victims Monday.

�This horrific tragedy is yet another reminder that we must remain vigilant in our fight to keep drunk drivers off our streets and highways,� the governor wrote.