PARACHUTE, Colo. -- Families of some of the firefighters killed or injured in a van crash while headed to fight a Colorado wildfire want the charges against the driver dropped.

But the parents of one of the firefighters who died want Megan Helm held accountable.

Helm, 21, of La Grande, Ore., is charged with multiple counts of careless driving causing death or bodily injury. She has pleaded not guilty.

A hearing in the case is scheduled in Garfield County District Court Oct. 23.

SURVEY Do you think charges should be dropped against a 21-year-old firefighter who was driving a van that crashed and killed five of her fellow firefighters? Yes, if the families agree. She's been through enough. No. Five people died and she should be held responsible. I haven't made up my mind yet. Results  |  Disclaimer

Helm was driving the van of firefighters headed to the Hayman Fire in central Colorado on June 21 when the vehicle rolled over on Interstate 70 near Parachute.

Four people were killed instantly, and a fifth died of his injuries three days later. Two more were seriously injured.

They all worked for Grayback Forestry, based in Merlin, Ore., which provides fire crews and equipment to the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies.

"Megan Helm is also a victim of this accident and will carry the memory of those fallen firefighters and friends for the rest of her life," lawyer James Pippin wrote in a recent letter to District Attorney Mac Myers.

Trying Helm would compound the psychological wounds from the accident, Pippin said.

The letter was written on behalf of Patrick Shorre, 25, of LaGrande, Ore., who was injured; and the families of Daniel Rama, 28, and Retha Mae Shirley, 19, both of Baker City, Ore., and Bartholomew Bailey, 20, of Corvallis, Ore.

Another Oregon attorney, Bill Gaylord, wrote a similar letter on behalf of Anthony Kyle of LaGrande, who was injured.

The parents of Zachary Zigich, 20, of Twin Falls, Idaho, said they will continue to press for prosecution in their son's death. Michael Zigich said he and his wife, Angie, have learned from piecing together their own investigation that Helm allegedly was not driving responsibly before the accident.

Helm and the family of dead firefighter, Jacob Martindale, 20, of Boise, Idaho, couldn't be reached for comment.

Jeff Cheney, Garfield deputy district attorney, declined to comment on the case.

The families and victims who want the charges dismissed are preparing to sue Ford Motor Co. The type of Ford van Helm was driving has a high center of gravity and is prone to rollover accidents, according to a growing number of safety experts.