[Press.Release] Fourth of July Results

Date: July 10, 2009
Contacts:  
Colorado State Patrol PIO: 303-239-4583
Heather Halpape, CDOT: 303-757-9484

Fourth of July Fizzles for 593 Arrested for DUI
"100 Days of Heat" continues through Labor Day

        Denver – The Colorado State Patrol and 70 law enforcement agencies report making 593 DUI arrests over the long Fourth of July weekend, which began at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2nd and ended at 3 a.m. Monday, July 6th.   Of the 593 DUI arrests, 72 were made at sobriety checkpoints.
        "Every DUI arrest made at a checkpoint or during a saturation patrol is one more individual taken off out roads before they have a chance to injure or kill themselves or someone else," said Col. James Wolfinbarger, chief of the Colorado State Patrol.  "Each of them represents the possibility that one more family will not have to experience the injury or loss of a loved one at the hands of an impaired driver.
        "We would certainly prefer that drivers make the wise decision not to drive after consuming too much alcohol, rather than having to make an arrest," said Col. Wolfinbarger.  "But we will continue to look for those who make a selfish decision and break the law."
        Preliminary reports from the Colorado Department of Transportation show there were four fatal crashes in Colorado over the holiday weekend, which killed 8 people.  Two of the crashes were believed to be alcohol-related.
        The Colorado State Patrol made the majority of DUI arrests with 129.  Other agencies with a high number of DUI arrests included: Denver PD (73), Colorado Springs PD (54), Aurora PD (36), Larimer County SO (21), and Boulder PD (19).
        Statewide law enforcement agencies will continue the "100 Days of Heat" campaign through Labor Day, which includes high visibility enforcement, as well as additional checkpoints.
        For more detailed information on DUI arrests per agency,  please visit www.dot.state.co.us/trafficsafety/.  Select "DUI Enforcement," then choose "July Fourth Weekend 2009" or "Summer Checkpoints 2009" and click "View Report."

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_____________
bear kay
public affairs
colorado state patrol
700 kipling street, denver, co 80215
bear.kay@cdps.state.co.us
direct line & voice mail-303.239.5774
cell-303.594.2580
fax-303.239.4566/fax
public affairs general information-303.239.4583
http://www.csp.state.co.us/
"1st In Traffic Safety - Courteous But Firm"

[Press.Release] Fleeing Suspect Fires Shots at State Trooper

COLORADO STATE PATROL
NEWS RELEASE
Public Affairs Unit                                                                                
700 Kipling St. Denver, CO 80215        
 
Sergeant John Hahn                        
Public Information Officer                                
303-961-2935                                        
______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:       Date: 7/10/09    Time: 12:00am


This morning at approximately 12:45am, a Colorado State Trooper attempted to stop a dark green, Chevy Blazer in the area of Highway 85 and 74th Ave. in Adams County.  The trooper was attempting to stop the vehicle for a registration violation when the suspect crossed a grass median and fled northbound on Brighton Blvd.  

The pursuit continued to the area of 72nd Ave. and Krameria when the driver briefly lost control while turning into a private drive.  The suspect then fired shots at the pursuing trooper from the driver's window before then crashing into a light pole.  The trooper was not injured and none of the shots struck his vehicle.

Following the crash, the suspect fled on foot into the surrounding area.  An extensive search was conducted by officers from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the Adams County Sheriff's Office and the Commerce City Police Department but the suspect remains at large at this hour.  Officers also searched for a passenger who fled the vehicle during the pursuit.  

The CSP believes the vehicle was stolen and is continuing its investigation.  

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Sergeant John Hahn
Public Affairs Section - CSP Headquarters
700 Kipling St.
Denver, Colorado 80215
303-239-4583

"First In Traffic Safety"

[Press.Release] Head On Fatal Crash on Monarch Pass

COLORADO STATE PATROL
NEWS RELEASE
Public Affairs Unit                                                                                
700 Kipling St. Denver, CO 80215        

Sergeant John Hahn                      
Public Information Officer                                
(303) 239-4583                                        
______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:       Date: 07/05/09    Time: 9:00pm


On July 5, 2009 at approximately 9:45am, Colorado State Troopers responded to a 5-vehicle motor vehicle crash on U.S. 50 at milepost 194 on Monarch Pass between Gunnison and Salida, Colorado.  

A 1983 Toyota Dolphin RV was westbound on U.S. 50 entering a right-hand curve when the vehicle crossed the center line.  The RV swerved back to the right, side-swiping an eastbound Lincoln Town Car causing it to side-swipe a Toyota Camry.  Both the Town Car and Camry then went off the right side of the road.  The occupants of both vehicles were uninjured.  

The RV then struck an eastbound 2009 Nissan Altima head on and rolled on to its side.  The driver of the RV was pronounced dead at the scene and has been identified as Ray Stout, 79, from Montrose, Colorado.  

The driver of the Nissan Altima was also pronounced dead at the scene and has been identified as Miguel Solis, 68, from El Paso, Texas.  His passenger, Felipa Solis, was airlifted to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction with serious injuries.

A fifth vehicle, a Lexus, was struck by debris from the crash.  Its driver was uninjured.  

The crash caused the closure of U.S. 50 for several hours and remains under investigation.

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Sergeant John Hahn
Public Affairs Section - CSP Headquarters
700 Kipling St.
Denver, Colorado 80215
303-239-4583

"First In Traffic Safety"

[Press.Release] Head On Crash North of Lamar Kills Four

COLORADO STATE PATROL
NEWS RELEASE
Public Affairs Unit                                                                                
700 Kipling St. Denver, CO 80215        

Sergeant John Hahn                        
Public Information Officer                                
(303) 239-4583                                        
______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:       Date: 07/05/09    Time: 6:15pm

On July 5, 2009 at approximately 2:15am, Colorado State Troopers responded to a two-vehicle, fatal crash on crash on Highway 287, 10 miles north of Wiley in southeastern Colorado.  

The investigation has revealed that a Nissan minivan was traveling southbound on Highway 287 when it drifted into the path of a northbound Ford Focus striking it head-on. After impact the minivan went off of the west side of the highway and caught fire.  

The driver and passenger in the minivan, both in their late teens, were pronounced dead at the scene.  The names of the individuals are being withheld at this hour pending the notification of family.  Both are from Colorado.

The adult, female driver of the Ford Focus was also pronounced dead at the scene.  Both passengers, an adult male and a teenage female, were transported via ambulance to Prowers County Medical Center.  The teenage female succumbed to her injuries and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.  The male passenger was then airlifted to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs with serious injuries.  Names of these occupants are also being withheld pending the notification of family.  

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but it is believed that alcohol is not a contributing factor.  Further details will be released as they become available.  

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Sergeant John Hahn
Public Affairs Section - CSP Headquarters
700 Kipling St.
Denver, Colorado 80215
303-239-4583

"First In Traffic Safety"

[Press.Release] Op-Ed from CSP Chief Regarding DUI Checkpoints - ATTENTION PRINT MEDIA

COLORADO STATE PATROL
Public Affairs Unit                                                                                
700 Kipling St. Denver, CO 80215        

Sergeant John Hahn                       
Public Information Officer                                
Direct (303) 239-4574
Cell (303) 961-2935                              
______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Guest Commentary
by Colonel James Wolfinbarger, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol

385 Words

Throughout Colorado this summer, numerous law enforcement agencies including the Colorado State Patrol plan to repeat an aggressive effort to keep drunk drivers off our streets and highways. The enforcement campaign is called "100 Days of Heat."

The campaign includes sobriety checkpoints as well as increased patrols on roadways with a history of impaired driving crashes.  Most people understand the need for increased DUI patrols, but there are often questions about sobriety checkpoints, even though they have been used in Colorado for more than 25 years.

Sobriety checkpoints can accomplish two goals: discouraging drinking drivers from getting behind the wheel in the first place and apprehending those who disobey the law, thereby endangering the lives of the rest of us.  

Checkpoints are announced in advance through the media. If a checkpoint results in no DUI arrests, and there are no alcohol-related fatalities or crashes, we consider it a great success. Having to arrest no one at a checkpoint accomplishes one of our primary goals.

Are sobriety checkpoints constitutional?  The U.S. Supreme Court says they are valid if conducted according to a strict protocol, and twice the Colorado Attorney General has issued opinions supporting the legality of checkpoints in Colorado.

Most checkpoints planned this summer are funded by federal grants through the Colorado Department of Transportation.  Participating law enforcement agencies will hold 150 checkpoints during the summer because it is an especially deadly time of year, with over one-third of alcohol-related fatalities occurring between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  

If you are a responsible driver you have nothing to worry about at a checkpoint. Checkpoints are purposely placed, and drivers are not stopped arbitrarily. Signs will notify drivers well in advance that they may be stopped delaying travel for a couple minutes. For those who are under the influence and arrested, they can plan to spend more than $10,000 for resolution of a typical case.  

If you encounter a checkpoint this summer we apologize for the minor inconvenience, but we hope you keep in mind the 200 people killed every year in Colorado due to impaired driving.  Additionally, I would like to thank the vast majority of Colorado motorists who drive safely and make responsible decisions not to drive after consuming too much alcohol.  

Remember, the "Heat is On" in Colorado.  Please have a safe and happy summer!  


Colonel James Wolfinbarger
Chief, Colorado State Patrol

[Press.Release] Public Assistance - Vehicular Assault - Adams County

COLORADO STATE PATROL
NEWS RELEASE
Public Affairs Unit                                                                                
700 Kipling St. Denver, CO 80215        

Trooper David Hall                        
Public Information Officer                                
(303) 239-4583                                        
______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:       Date: 07-01-09    Time: 1:45 PM
.
The Colorado State Patrol is seeking public assistance to solve a vehicular assault that occurred on Colorado 25 in Adams County.

On 6/28/09 between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. two vehicles were traveling northbound on Colorado 25. A black Lincoln Aviator and a white Honda Civic were traveling northbound on Colorado 25 approaching the interchange of Colorado 36 when the black Lincoln Navigator began to force the white Honda Civic off the road. The two vehicles made contact and the white Honda Civic was forced into a guardrail.

The State Patrol is asking anyone who witnessed any portion of this incident to call 303-239-4500.



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[Press.Release] NEWS RELEASE-Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Arapahoe County

COLORADO STATE PATROL
NEWS RELEASE
Public Affairs Unit                                                                                
700 Kipling St. Denver, CO 80215        

Trooper Ryan Sullivan                        
Public Information Officer                                
(303) 239-4583                                        
______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:       Date: 07-01-2009    Time: 12:45 p.m.

On July 1, 2009 at approximately 4:53 a.m., Colorado State Troopers responded to a fatal motorcycle crash on Cherry Creek Dam Road east of Union Street.  A 2009 black Suzuki GSXR 1000 was traveling westbound on Cherry Creek Dam Road. The motorcycle ran off the north side of the road and struck the guardrail.  The motorcycle and driver traveled along the guardrail for approximately 100 feet before the driver was ejected. The motorcycle continued on its wheels for an additional 100 feet along the guardrail before coming to a stop.

The driver has been identified as Stanislav Garnov, age 25 from Denver, Colo.  Garnov
sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Arapahoe County Coroner.

Garnov was wearing a helmet.

Alcohol or drugs are suspected as contributing factors.

Next of kin have been notified

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