A 55-year-old Australian woman pleaded guilty Monday in Grand County Court to careless driving resulting in death in connection with a 2025 head-on crash that killed one woman and seriously injured two juveniles.

Leesa Hermann pleaded guilty to the highest charge filed against her. Grand County Court Judge Nicholas Catanzarite scheduled sentencing for 2 p.m. Sept. 22. Hermann is expected to appear in person for sentencing.

According to prosecutors, Hermann was driving west on U.S. Highway 40 near mile marker 173 on Aug. 7, 2025, when she entered the eastbound lane after mistaking it for a turn lane, causing a head-on collision.

Danielle Cisneros, 27, died at the scene. Two juveniles suffered serious injuries.

An investigation by the Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit found no evidence that Hermann was impaired by alcohol or drugs. She was originally charged with one count of careless driving resulting in death and two counts of careless driving resulting in serious bodily injury.

Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Dowdell, who prosecuted the case, said the guilty plea cannot undo the harm caused by the crash but holds Hermann accountable for her actions.

“Ms. Hermann’s careless behavior resulted in senseless loss and tragedy,” Dowdell said in a July 14 news release from the 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. “This guilty plea cannot undo that harm, but it does send a message that such careless disregard for the rules of the road in our mountain community will not be tolerated.”

The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit led the investigation with assistance from local law enforcement.