Here’s what it takes to get a DUI in the Centennial State. Jacob Laxen, Wochit
Charges are pending against the driver of a silver Hyundai Elantra who was involved in a fatal crash on Sunday.
The driver drifted into oncoming traffic while travelling eastbound on Larimer County Road 54G and crashed into a Toyota Sienna about 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
The passenger of the Toyota was killed and the driver was sent to the hospital with minor injuries, Colorado State Patrol Trooper Paul Dirkes told the Coloradoan Sunday.
Neva Lippert, 92, of Fort Collins, died in the crash, according to the Larimer County Coroner’s Office. Her manner and cause of death were not determined as of Monday afternoon.
The driver of the Hyundai was seriously injured and is suspected of being under the influence at the time of the crash, Dirkes said.
On Monday, Dirkes said charges were pending against the driver of the Elantra, but CSP is still investigating.
Make safe choices: Where to find a sober ride in Fort Collins
An update on the Elantra driver’s condition was not available Monday.
County Road 54G was closed for more than four hours while CSP remained on scene.
This was one of four fatal crashes in Northern Colorado during a 12-hour period Saturday and Sunday in which CSP suspected alcohol or drugs as possible factors.
One person was killed in each of the crashes, said Dirkes, who was on scene of the Larimer crash.
Dirkes said CSP was reaching out to media Sunday in order to raise awareness of the unusual spate of fatal crashes.
“We want to remind people that there are alternatives to get home safely (rather than) driving under the influence,” he said.
Driver recounts fatal mistake: ‘Two beers and a steering wheel’
Dierkes did not have information specific to the Weld County crashes readily available Sunday afternoon, but CSP Col. Matthew Packard noted there were six fatal crashes across Colorado highways in a tweet Sunday.
“Our purpose is to save lives on the roads of Colorado,” Dirkes said. “Please ensure you’re wearing your seatbelts and please drive sober.”
Community toll: Motorcyclist remembered after fatal crash with drunk driver
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 1 p.m. Monday.
Coloradoan editor Eric Larsen can be reached at ericlarsen@coloradoan.com or 970-224-7745. To support local journalism in Fort Collins and help the Coloradoan reach its goal of reaching 20,000 digital subscribers by the end of 2020, visit offers.coloradoan.com/specialoffer.
Read or Share this story: https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2019/11/10/colorado-state-patrol-investigates-four-fatal-crashes-weld-larimer/2557439001/
