Mother Of Evergreen Teen Killed In Rollover Wreck Urges Seatbelts

GOLDEN, CO – The Evergreen mother of a 16-year-old girl killed in a rollover wreck last January is spreading the word about how seatbelts save lives. RaeAnn Hern and friends and supporters are remembering the death of Rachel Hern, who was thrown from the back seat of a car on Highway 74 the night of Jan. 20, 2018.

“If I could show a picture of Rachel in her hospital bed, I would, to save another kid. It only takes a second to make the wrong choice," RaeAnn Hern told 9NEWS.

Daltyn Drake Hollon, 21, entered a guilty plea of reckless driving in January for the wreck of his 2000 Chevy Cavalier, which lost control as Hollon allegedly sped more than 80 mph on icy roads near Evergreen around 7:20 p.m.

The car spun 180 degrees and slid across the highway, flipped over the center median and crossed into the eastbound lanes continuing to rotate until it hit a concrete barrier, police reports of the accident said.

RaeAnn and supporters have made Rachel's death a mission to remind people to wear seatbelts.

She told 9NEWS that her daughter was usually conscientious about wearing a seatbelt, even nagging her mother to wear one.

“Rachel always wore her seat belt for the most part,” RaeAnn Hern told 9NEWS “I mean she was very afraid of speed, always would tell me, 'Mom, make sure you’ve got your seat belt on.'"

But on the night it counted, she was not buckled up.

"I remember me and Rachel laughing in the backseat. Neither of us had our seatbelts on, which... it ended up being a big mistake," said the teen who survived the accident in an interview with 9NEWS. He survived that accident, along with driver Hollon and another passenger.

Alcohol and drugs were not thought to have contributed to the accident, an arrest affidavit said.

Hern had been a student at Evergreen High School and had attended Wilmot Elementary, Evergreen Middle School and Conifer High School, the Canyon Courier reported. "Our hearts are with the student's family during this very painful time," Evergreen High Principal Brandon Brekke wrote in a letter to parents. "In speaking with the family today, they asked us to remind everyone to drive safely and wear seat belts. We urge you to please utilize caution in your daily travels, especially during the winter months."

Rachel was one of three children of RaeAnn and Don Hern. In a GoFundMe account, set up by family friends, RaeAnn remembered Rachel as a girl with "a heart of gold," the site said.

Hollon is scheduled to appear for sentencing on March 11.

READ MORE on 9NEWS

Related: Driver Pleads Guilty In Rollover Wreck That Killed Evergreen Teen

Related: Driver In Rollover Wreck That Killed Teen Appears In Court

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

Image via Jefferson County District Attorney's Office

Stay up-to-date on Golden news with Patch! There are many ways for you to connect and stay in touch: Free newsletters and Email Alerts|Facebook