Driver Pleads Guilty in I-25 Crash That Killed Toddler
LOVELAND, CO — Jose Salazar pleaded guilty on August 7 in connection with a December 16 crash that claimed the life of 17-month-old Elijah Manley on Interstate 25.
Salazar, driving a box truck, collided with a Lexus while veering into the right lane. Witnesses reported the four-vehicle accident occurred near Crossroads Boulevard, following a prior medical emergency that caused one vehicle to stop on the highway.
Authorities confirmed that two adults and one child in the Lexus were hospitalized, while Manley was pronounced dead at the scene. The Lexus was subsequently pushed into a Kia Telluride and a Chevrolet Silverado hauling a trailer due to the force of the collision.
According to a Colorado State Patrol release, Salazar admitted to troopers that the crash was his fault. He stated he was reaching for his dropped cellphone at the time and had smoked marijuana earlier that day. Officers discovered a concealed marijuana pipe within his vehicle.
Salazar faced eight charges, including vehicular homicide and vehicular assault connected to driving under the influence. As part of a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and tampering with physical evidence. If accepted into the Community Corrections program, Salazar could serve 4 to 12 years, with an alternative of 6 to 19.5 years if sentencing is consecutive.
Salazar could face up to 12 years in prison if denied entry into the program. A sentencing hearing is set for 2:30 p.m. on August 17 in the 8th Judicial District Court in Fort Collins.