Man charged in Four Corners crash

MONTICELLO — A man charged with automobile homicide in connection with a deadly crash has made his first court appearance.

Leander Thomas Lee, 24, appeared here in 7th District Court Monday where he was formally charged with automobile homicide, a second-degree felony, and driving without a license, a class C misdemeanor.

The Utah Highway Patrol said Lee was involved in an Oct. 7 crash on U.S. 191 about 15 miles north of Monticello. Five people were in a Corolla that tried to pass a semitrailer and came upon another car in the oncoming lane. The Corolla swerved back behind the semitrailer, clipping its trailer and rolling.

Phillotino Nez, 24, of Cortez, Colo., was killed. Troopers said they suspected alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Lee demanded a preliminary hearing, court clerks said, and will appear in court again Nov. 17.

— Ben Winslow