A Utah woman charged in a 2023 hit-and-run that left a Durango motorcyclist missing part of her leg was arrested last week on suspicion of drunken driving.
Brittany Dee, 24, was taken into custody Monday afternoon after an appearance in La Plata County Court, where she was formally advised of the DUI charge. Her arrest Thursday evening violated the conditions of her bail in the pending hit-and-run case, and so Dee was taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies in the courtroom.
According to an arrest affidavit written by La Plata County Sheriff’s Deputy Reid Brubaker, multiple parties had reported a suspected drunken driver south of Purgatory Resort on U.S. Highway 550 around 10:50 p.m. July 4.
Other drivers reported what was later identified as a gray Ford F-150 – the same make and model as the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run – “traveling on the wrong side of the road, (and) throwing beer cans out the window.”
As law enforcement responded, dispatchers advised the truck had stopped on the side of the road. Witnesses said a woman, later identified as Dee, had climbed into the back seat and another woman had entered the vehicle and was attempting to drive away. Multiple other drivers had pulled over and were preventing the vehicle from leaving.
Deputy Brubaker spoke with Dee upon arrival, who told him that she had been driving back from Silverton after the Fourth of July fireworks show and had consumed four alcoholic beverages, including a shot of Hennessy cognac. The deputy saw a bottle of Hennessy on the floor in front of the passenger seat and an empty beer bottle behind the seat.
Dee, who was driving with her boyfriend Laterrian Tsosie, explained that she had pulled over after she heard vehicles honking at her and vacated the driver’s seat because she was “terrified” given her previous interactions with law enforcement.
In July 2023, Dee was driving a gray F-150 when she struck motorcyclist Jeanette Wages, who lost her lower left leg as a result of her injuries. Dee’s boyfriend allegedly stepped out of the vehicle briefly before the two fled the scene to Utah. After police identified the vehicle and contacted Dee, she agreed to turn herself in to Durango police.
After Dee pulled over to the side of the road Thursday, Tsosie’s aunt, who had been following in another vehicle, climbed into the truck and tried to drive away but was stopped by other parties.
Dee declined to participate in roadside maneuvers and was arrested. After initially agreeing to breath and blood tests, she changed her mind upon arrival at the La Plata County Jail. Her driving privileges were revoked under Colorado’s expressed consent law as a result of her refusal to submit to chemical testing.
She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, a misdemeanor, and having an open container, a class A traffic infraction.
At a hearing in County Court on Monday, a prosecutor called Dee a “extreme risk to the community” and alleged that she had been under the influence when the 2023 incident occurred.
Appearing remotely, defense attorney Beale Tejada said there was no legitimate allegation that Dee had repeatedly driven under the influence.
“I don’t think its fair to say Ms. Dee is drinking and driving all over the place,” Tejada argued.
He said over the last few days, his client had done a “gut-check” and would be seeking some form of treatment.
If Dee is released on bail again, she will not be allowed to drink alcohol, consume other drugs or drive. Tejada told Judge Reid Stewart that he expects a global plea deal to address charges stemming from both incidents.
A hearing on Dee’s bail is scheduled for Thursday.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
