News

A Farmington, New Mexico, man who was arrested for involvement in a head-on crash that seriously injured a Cortez man last week has been charged with multiple offenses by the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Thaddeus M. Ponder was charged with felony vehicular assault and reckless vehicular assault, both felonies. He also was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, failing to stop at a red light, leaving the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident and habitual criminal.

District Attorney Will Furse said the investigation is ongoing, and there may be additional charges. Ponder is being held in the Montezuma County Detention Center on a $75,000 cash surety bond.

On Oct. 22, Ponder is suspected of causing a head-on crash on U.S. Highway 160/491 in a construction zone south of Cortez that severely injured Kenneth R. Todd, 71, of Cortez. Todd suffered a fractured rib, a pelvis injury, a spleen injury, a broken femur and a punctured lung. He was taken by helicopter to San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington. According to a hospital spokesman, Todd has been transferred out of intensive care and into San Juan Regional Rehabilitation Hospital where he is recovering and is listed in good condition.

According to the Colorado State Patrol, Ponder was speeding southbound in a red Ford F-250 pickup, crossed the centerline of traffic in a work zone and hit a silver Impala driven by Todd head-on. Ponder reportedly hit another vehicle in Cortez before the head-on crash, and also clipped a guardrail. Ponder was also injured. He was transported to Southwest Memorial Hospital.

Officials are investigating whether the F-250 driven by Ponder was possibly stolen, Furse said during a court hearing.

According to a case affidavit, several people reported a drunken driver in a red pickup traveling in the same area. The CSP said witnesses saw the truck passing on the shoulder and weaving recklessly. One witness estimated it was traveling 80 mph in a 40 mph construction zone.

“The construction zone was active at the time of the crash and there were numerous workers in the immediate area of the crash,” according to the State Patrol affidavit.

Drug use is also a suspected cause, based on statements and actions made by Ponder, police said. At the hospital, he was incoherent and uncooperative, the affidavit states.

During the court bond hearing Oct. 23, Furse said Ponder has a criminal record in New Mexico and Colorado, including robbery, assault, parole violations and sexual assault. Ponder is also facing a DUI trial in San Juan County, New Mexico, Furse said, and was driving without a license.

jmimiaga@ the-journal.com