Mother Sentenced For Vehicular Homicide Of 2-Year-Old

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — A woman was sentenced Thursday for the vehicular homicide of her 2-year-old daughter. The woman caused a crash that killed the toddler on Interstate 70 last summer, authorities said.

Samantha Maestas, 29, was sentenced to three years probation and three years in the jail work release program, the First Judicial District Attorney's Office said.

Maestas was driving east on Interstate 70 last August and lost control of her vehicle when she tried to avoid a rear-end collision near the Genesee exit, authorities said. Her vehicle crossed the median and collided with a GMC Sierra in the westbound lanes.

Her 2-year-old daughter Sophia was in the back seat and died from her injuries. The driver and passenger in the GMC Sierra each suffered minor injuries.

Maestas had been using methamphetamine and alcohol in the days leading up to the collision and had taken hydrocodone that day, according to the First Judicial District Attorney's Office. Small amounts of narcotics and drug paraphernalia were in her car at the time of the crash, authorities said.

“This is a tragedy that could have been prevented. Sophia died because her mother chose to use drugs before getting behind the wheel,” First Judicial District Attorney Pete Weir said in a statement. “We asked for a prison sentence because we believe that her conduct demands it.”

Maestas pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide - DUI, child abuse resulting in death, possession of a controlled substance, careless driving and other charges.