Serious Injury Crash on I-70 at Wolcott (Eagle County)

COLORADO STATE PATROL
NEWS RELEASE
Troop 4C
202 Centennial Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Contact: Sgt Rich Armstrong
Public Information Officer Reference Number:(970) 945-6198

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: 05/01/10 Time: 10:00 AM

Event: Serious Injury Crash on I-70 at Wolcott (Eagle County)

On 5/1/10 at approximately 01:30 AM, Deputy John Brownlee of the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, was eastbound on I-70 at milepost 154, three miles west of Wolcott. Deputy Brownlee stopped to check for injuries of a crash on a bridge over the Eagle River. Deputy Brownlee stepped out of his patrol car, and made contact with Devin Obenauer, 30, from Northglenn, CO. Deputy Brownlee and Devin Obenauer then began to walk west on I-70, towards the Deputy’s patrol car that was parked on the right shoulder with all of its emergency lights activated.

At approximately 01:36 AM, a 1999 Subaru Outback, driven by Jamison Bair, 19, from Eagle, CO, lost control on the icy bridge and struck Deputy Brownlee. Deputy Brownlee was injured in this crash. Jamison Bair pulled over to the right shoulder after striking Deputy Brownlee.

A few moments later, Deputy Brownlee was struck again, by a 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche driven by Francisco Granados, 23, from Avon, CO. Francisco Granados continued driving eastbound on I-70, fleeing the scene. Francisco Granados was stopped at the Edwards exit by the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and Avon Police Department.

Deputy Brownlee was transported to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs with a broken leg.

The driver of the Subaru, Jamison Bair, was arrested for Felony Vehicular Assault, driving under the influence of alcohol, and careless driving causing serious bodily injury. Jamison Bair has been booked into the Eagle County Jail.

The driver of the Chevrolet Avalanche, Francisco Granados, was arrested for Felony Vehicular Assault, driving under the influence of alcohol, careless driving causing serious bodily injury, and fleeing the scene after causing bodily injury. Francisco Granados was booked into the Eagle County Jail.

The passenger in the Chevrolet Avalanche, Arzaga Moreno Antonio, 21, from Mexico, was arrested for possession of cocaine.

The driver of the vehicle in the original crash, Devin Obenauer, was not injured. She had been driving a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta when she crashed.

The Colorado State Patrol is investigated the crash and was assisted by the Western Eagle County Ambulance, Eagle Fire Department, Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Avon Police Department, West Vail Shell, and Big Steve’s Towing.

The incident is under active investigation.

Eastbound I-70 was closed from 01:36 AM to 06:31 AM. Traffic was re-routed on Hwy 6 from Eagle to Edwards.

The Colorado State Patrol would like to remind everyone not to drink and drive. The consequences are real and devastating.