A Durango woman was killed in a three-car crash Saturday on U.S. Highway 550 just north of Durango.
Sandra “Sandy” Elliott, 79, was flown to Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs before succumbing to her injuries, said La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith.
The crash was reported about 4:45 a.m. near mile marker 26, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Elliott was traveling north in a Ford Flex when the southbound driver of a Nissan Murano swerved across the center line and hit Elliott head-on, said State Trooper Sherri Mendez.
“The front left of the Ford Flex was struck by the front left of Nissan Murano,” she said.
The impact sent the Ford Flex rotating and careening off the right side of the road, landing in the northbound ditch.
The Nissan then struck the a Toyota Tacoma traveling behind Elliott, pushing it backward from the point of impact. The Nissan then rolled and landed in the southbound lane, Mendez said.
The cause of the crash, and whether drugs or alcohol were involved, remained under investigation as of Wednesday. Mendez declined to provide the names of the other parties involved, citing the ongoing investigation.
Elliott’s daughter, Allisa Oliger, said Elliott’s partner of five years, Thomas “Steve” Bettis, 76, was a passenger in the vehicle. He suffered critical injuries and was fighting for his life as of Wednesday, she said.
Bettis was taken to Penrose in serious condition, she said.
The driver of the Nissan, an 18-year-old man, was taken to an unknown hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the Toyota Tacoma, a 26-year-old man, reported no injuries, Mendez said.
Elliott is survived by three children and four grandchildren.
Her daughter described her as strong-minded, intelligent, brave and truthful.
“This was completely unexpected. She was healthy, active, still working with some private clients,” Oliger said.
Oliger described her mother as being “at the top of her game.”
Elliott, originally from Portland, Oregon, moved to Durango in 1974. She worked as a CPA, starting at Frederick Zink & Elliott, PC, and eventually started her own firm called Elliott Meadows & Associates, LLC. Although she took some private clients, she officially retired around 2015-2017.
She was an avid quilter, traveler and golfer.
“She lived for golfing,” Oliger said.
She was actively involved with Dalton Ranch and previously involved with the League of Women Voters and the Durango Chamber of Commerce.
Oliger said both Elliott and Bettis received excellent care from hospital staff as well as from first responders at the scene.
jrooney@durangoherald.com
