craigdailypress.com

Stormie Beach, a 16-year-old Hayden girl who was seriously injured in a rollover accident June 19 has been upgraded to fair condition at The Children's Hospital in Denver.

"Stormie has made a lot of improvement," her mother, Libby Beach, said Wednesday. "She's talking. It's getting better every day."

Stormie Beach was one of nine people riding in a car that skidded off U.S. Highway 40 two miles west of Hayden. Seven occupants were taken to area hospitals with serious injuries, including Stormie's brother, 18-year-old Chase Beach, who was released about a week after the accident.

Stormie Beach immediately was flown to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction and remained unconscious until recently when she was transferred to the Denver hospital.

Brandon Rinker, 21, of Hayden, and Levi Heythaler, 17, Chelsea Merrill, 16, and Sarah Coyner, 17 -- all of Craig -- have been released from Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs, spokeswoman Heather Rose said.

It's unclear whether the driver of the vehicle, Tomas Marquez, 23, will be charged in the accident. Colorado State Patrol Tropper Rick Kaspar recommended the case to assistant District Attorney Kerry St. James for charges of careless driving and driving under the influence. St. James said Wednesday that no charges have been filed against Marquez.

Beach requested that Stormie's friends who call her daughter refrain from talking about the accident.

"She's not ready to hear about that yet," Libby Beach said.

A fund-raising effort is underway for the injured teen. Donations can be made to any First National Bank of the Rockies branch.