Colorado Professor Arrested In Deadly DUI Crash That Killed Golden Police Officer
A respected Colorado School of Mines professor faces serious charges after a suspected DUI crash left one Golden police officer dead and another injured.
Stephen Geer, 43, a mechanical engineering professor with no prior criminal record, was arrested on Wednesday following the tragic collision on Colorado Highway 58 near Washington Avenue. Authorities are investigating Geer on charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault as they seek answers to this devastating incident.
The crash unfolded around 5 p.m. on Wednesday as two Golden police officers were responding to an earlier accident. The officers, one of whom was later identified as a 33-year-old military veteran, had exited their vehicle to assess the initial crash scene.
According to the Golden Police Department and the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), Geer’s vehicle reportedly struck another car along a curve, propelling both officers beneath the original crashed vehicle, tragically killing one officer and seriously injuring the other.
Conditions on the road were particularly treacherous that day, with snow impacting visibility and traction. Golden Police Chief Joe Harvey explained that a police cruiser had been positioned as a warning to approaching drivers, but Geer’s vehicle entered the accident zone and struck the officers. The CSP described Geer’s driving as “unsafe on an already dangerous day,” emphasizing the challenging road conditions at the time of the collision.
Geer appeared in Jefferson County Court on Thursday morning, where Judge Thomas Vance informed him of the potential charges against him. His bond was set at $250,000, and a hearing is scheduled for November 14.
Geer’s defense attorney, Lindsay Stone, contended that the crash may have been a tragic accident, arguing that the initial crash had occurred shortly beforehand and lacked sufficient warning signs.
Stone also noted that Geer reportedly informed police he had only consumed one 16-ounce beer at a local brewery before the accident, though no blood alcohol test results were available during the hearing.
The deceased officer, whose identity has not yet been publicly released, was remembered by Chief Harvey as “an incredible human being.” The fallen officer had a distinguished background, having served as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot and commander before joining the Golden Police Department. He is survived by his wife, sister, and parents, while the injured officer remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
The death of the officer has sent shockwaves through the Golden community, which is mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant. Authorities are actively investigating the incident and are expected to release further details as the case progresses.
The Colorado School of Mines and the Golden Police Department both expressed condolences to the officer’s family and the local community as they navigate the aftermath of this tragic event.