3 Car Fatal Accident on U.S. 36 Leaves 1 Dead

Eastbound U.S. 36 Closed for 5 Hours Due to Crash

A Colorado State Patrol trooper investigates a fatal accident on U.S. 36 (Credit: DAILY CAMERA, Paul Aiken)

A 3 car accident on eastbound U.S. 36 on January 22 near Davidson Mesa has left one Boulder man dead. Kenneth Oswandel, 44, was pronounced dead at the scene after he apparently lost control of his Jeep after striking a Subaru while both vehicles were headed east in the right lane of U.S. 36.

The highway was initially shut down in both directions. Westbound 36 reopened after about an hour, while the eastbound were shut down for over 5 hours.

Investigators believe that Oswandel began to lose control of his Jeep after colliding with a Subaru station wagon. As his vehicle began to roll, Oswandel was ejected. 

The Subaru involved in the accident slid into a median, and was then struck by a second vehicle, also a Jeep. The drivers of both the Subaru and the second Jeep were not injured. There were no passengers in any of the 3 vehicles. 

An investigation is underway by the Boulder County Coroner to determine an official cause of death.

If you are injured in a car accident in the greater Denver area, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Office of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: Boulder coroner ID's man killed in rollover on U.S. 36 last week, 1 dead after 3-car accident closes U.S. 36 for hours during morning commute

Police Chase Involving Mom, Toddler, Shakes Family

Pair's Involvement in Chase was Accidental

A mother and her 18-month-old son were injured in a crash when their vehicle incidentally became involved in a high speed chase involving Denver Police. 

Police were authorized to pursue a vehicle being driven by a suspect wanted for multiple violent crimes in Arapahoe County when their chase suddenly entangled Jin Surber and her young son Walter.

"Suddenly, a police car hit me from behind," Surber said. "I was scared, and I screamed and I looked for my son," she added.

Surber and her son had just finished up an afternoon at the aquarium and were heading hope when they were engrossed in the chase, which left her car wrapped around a light post. Both Surber and her young child were extricated from the vehicle.

Walter escaped the crash unhurt. Jin Surber is suffering from bruises and dizziness, but did not sustain any major injuries. Her husband Adam Surber was relieved to find his wife and child relatively unharmed, but was still somewhat perturbed as a result of the incident. 

"It's pretty scary to get a call from police department saying your wife and kid are on their way to the hospital from an accident." Adam Surber said. "I believe it is really necessary to get some of these people, but the collateral damage to me is now very personal," He added.

If you are injured in an auto accident by no fault of your own in the greater Denver metro area, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Mom & Toddler Recovering After Getting Caught Up In Police Chase

Hit and Run Accident on Federal Injures Pedestrian

Man Struck By 3 Vehicles, One Flees

Police investigate the scene of a hit and run accident that left a man in his 20's seriously injured. (9News)

A man in his 20's was left hospitalized with serious injuries after being hit by three separate cars while attempting to cross Federal Boulevard at the Florida Avenue intersection. While two of the vehicles that struck the victim stopped for help, the third apparently left the scene and police are actively searching for a vehicle in connection with the incident.

Denver police say a Subaru Impreza WRX Sport Utility Vehicle was seen leaving the scene after having hit the victim. Witnesses were unable to discern the color of the vehicle, however it is expected that the SUV would have damage consistent with a hit and run accident and may specifically have damage to the driver side mirror. The mirror may also have been lost in the accident.

Investigators did not know if the victim was using a crosswalk and were unable to give his condition as well. He remains hospitalized.

The Impreza was last seen travelling southbound on Federal. Information related to this crime can be reported anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867 or by email to metro-denvercrimestoppers.com

If you are injured in an auto accident by no fault of your own, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. If you live in the Denver metro area call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people- it's all we do!

Sources: Pedestrian Seriously Injured In Hit & Run on Federal Boulevard, Man critically injured after being hit by several cars in Denver

Aurora Man in Pickup Truck Killed At Train Crossing

Inattentiveness Cited as Possible Cause

A 55 year old Aurora man was killed Friday when a Union Pacific train collided with his Toyota Tacoma pickup truck in Weld county.

Officials identified the man as Francisco Ardon. He was pronounced dead at the scene, an uncontrolled railroad crossing near Fort Lupton with no drop down bar to prevent a car from entering the intersection.

The event triggered and explosion of the truck, and Ardon was thrown from his vehicle as a result of the collision. The train did not sustain major damage and personnel on the train were uninjured.

Spokesman for the Fort Lupton Police Department, Sgt. William Van Arsdale, indicated that the intersection has only stop signs to alert drivers of the potential hazard, but also that "if [Ardon] had been paying attention, this accident would not have happened."

Fort Lupton Fire Chief Phil Tiffany added that the pickup was dragged about 75 yards before splitting into 2 pieces, both of which were quickly extinguished.

Tiffany also said "It's one of those things where you always need to be aware of what's around you. Never take for granted that there is not a train coming at any train intersection. Always stop and look both ways."

If you are injured in an auto accident by no fault of your own, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Officials Identify Aurora Man Killed in Pickup-Train Collision in Fort Lupton

Fatal Hit and Run Suspect Arrested in Longmont

Mother of Suspect Believes Her Daughter Was In Church

UPDATE 02/21/2013: The Boulder County District Attorney's office has dropped charges against a Longmont teen originally accused of killing 16-year-old Jason Grimmer on New Years Eve.

A thorough examination, coupled with forensic analysis and information provided by the Colorado Department of Investigation, helped investigators and police to conclude that Kendra Balentine, 18, was not involved in the death in Grimmer.

Police arrested the primary suspect in a New Year's Eve hit and run case in Longmont last Thursday. 18 year old Kendra Rae Balentine was arrested on suspicion of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, a third degree felony. The crash left 16-year-old Jason Grimmer dead with "massive head trauma."

Officers are "confident that we have the right person," despite the suspect's mother and pastor vehemently refuting the claims that Kendra Balentine was involved in the incident. Stephanie Balentine, Kendra's mother, indicated that "my daughter did not kill the young man, and her car could not have been there."

"I am just praying to God police do the right thing," the elder Balentine added. "She never had contact with the police. She is not a bad young lady. She was in freakin' church. That is what really gets me. It ain't like she was out running the streets on New Years Eve." She pleaded.

Additionally, the family's pastor at Messiahville Baptist Church, Cory Seulean, agreed with Balentine's mother and supported her claim that Kendra did not leave the church.

"I did not see her leave. As far as I know, she didn't leave. Nobody thinks she left," Seulean said. "She was in the building with us playing games. She was there whole time."

However, Longmont Police Cmdr. Jeff Satur noted that investigators believe Balentine did attend the church services, but at one point during the event left and eventually returned.  They are also not disregarding pastor and suspect's mother's claims.

"We are not discounting it. We are investigating it. It is not going on deaf ears."

Officers initially responded to call at approximately 10 p.m. New Years Eve regarding a crash and injured person on the road. Police found Gimmer unconscious and were unable to revive him. He was apparently running away from a nearby altercation. An autopsy is expected to reveal a more detailed picture of his injuries, including whether he was struck multiple times by a vehicle.

If you are injured in a hit and run accident, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. If you live in the greater Denver metro area, call The Law offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Mom, pastor say teen suspected in New Year's Eve hit and run was at church