<\/p>\n
A judge overseeing a criminal case against a Durango mother suspected of causing a head-on crash that killed her 8-year-old daughter recused herself from the case Tuesday.<\/p>\n
La Plata County Judge Martha Minot said she is familiar with some of the circumstances and individuals involved, and therefore felt more comfortable having the case reassigned to another judge.<\/p>\n
A court administrator will assign the case to a different judge in coming weeks.<\/p>\n
Neysha Candelaria, 32, is cited with careless driving causing death.<\/p>\n
The crash occurred at 8:23 a.m. April 18 about 1.6 miles north of the New Mexico border on La Plata Highway (Colorado Highway 140).<\/p>\n
None of the five children in the minivan wore seat belts, including Mia Martinez, 8, who was killed in the crash.<\/p>\n
According to police, Candelaria was driving north when she hit a patch of snow and ice and lost control of her 2005 Chevrolet Uplander. The van crossed the center line into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a 2009 Kia Sorento, driven by Mindy Walck of Hesperus, who was injured.<\/p>\n
Candelaria\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Durango defense attorney, Jason Eley, said he anticipates reaching a plea agreement in the case.<\/p>\n
Her next court appearance is set for 9 a.m. Oct. 18 in La Plata County.<\/p>\n