One man is dead and another is facing serious charges following a fatal crash in Brighton, according to local police. Colorado authorities responsible for handling car accidents were on the scene where a motorcyclist was tragically killed. The other driver involved has been taken into custody, and it is unclear whether he has yet been released. No court date has been announced at this time.
The accident report says on the afternoon of Aug. 12 the motorcyclist, whose name was being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin, was stationary at a stoplight when the accident occurred. It appears the other driver, a 33-year-old man behind the wheel of an SUV, failed to stop and struck the back of the motorcycle. The force of the impact resulted in structural damage to the SUV and caused fatal injuries to the motorcyclist. The individual was pronounced dead at the accident scene.
The driver of the SUV has been charged with vehicular homicide. Police say they have reason to believe drugs may have played a role in the accident, though they have not specified whether they are referring to prescription or illegal drugs. Their investigation is ongoing as of this report.
In car accidents where any kind of intoxication (be it alcohol or drugs) may have played a role, Colorado authorities will determine whether the individual they believe to be responsible for the accident was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. Regardless, the family of the deceased man is entitled under state law to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver. These suits are handled in civil court and are based upon evidence of negligence that caused or contributed to the fatal accident.
Source: kdvr.com, “Drugs suspected in crash that killed motorcyclist near Brighton“, Ann Lauricello, Aug. 12, 2017