Woman accused of driving drunk and crashing into elderly woman’s home has four prior DWI convictions
Margaret Cantu, 41, who allegedly drove drunk and crashed into an elderly woman's home has four prior driving while intoxicated convictions, according to an arrest affidavit.
The victim Ruriko Denison, 87, suffered life-threatening injuries including a fractured left leg, a fractured right wrist, a fractured lower back and a fractured upper jaw. According to court documents, Denison remains in ICU.
Documents state that around 1 a.m. Monday, Cantu was driving South on the 10300 block of Kenworthy St. when she failed to make a turn next to Arlington Park. Cantu allegedly entered the park and drove through the park's grass towards Junction Dr. According to court documents, Cantu then crashed through the rock wall of Denison's home on the 4700 block of Junction Dr., and crashed into Denison's bedroom where she was sleeping.
A witness heard the loud crash and walked outside towards the park where they noticed a vehicle had just crashed into a house. According to the documents, when the witness approached the vehicle, Cantu allegedly handed the woman a Budlight Chelada Clamato tall-boy and told her to get rid of it. The Witness refused and reportedly noted that Cantu had a strong odor of alcohol and was slurring her speech.
Once Cantu was outside her vehicle, documents state she nearly fell repeatedly and was leaning against her vehicle for balance.
Officers who responded to the scene asked Cantu what she had drank and she allegedly replied that she had three Budweiser beers at her friend's house. Cantu also reportedly told the officers she was coming from her friends house and heading home but did not remember what happened.
Cantu allegedly refused to provide a blood sample, the officers then secured a warrant for her blood which was presented and signed by a night magistrate, Judge Myers. The blood draw was taken at University Medical Center.
According to police, Cantu lives just down the street of the crash, on the 4800 block of Junction Dr. Cantu is charged with Intoxication Assault and was booked into El Paso County Detention Facility with a $250,000 bond.
