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CBS News
07-05-2025
- CBS News
Radio traffic of deadly crash in Northern Colorado doesn't end debate over possible law enforcement chase
Radio traffic of deadly crash in Weld County doesn't end debate over pursuit Radio traffic of deadly crash in Weld County doesn't end debate over pursuit Radio traffic of deadly crash in Weld County doesn't end debate over pursuit Nearly a week after a Northern Colorado middle school teacher was killed in a head-on crash with a stolen vehicle, law enforcement continues to investigate what led up to the wrong-way crash. The entire investigation began when a Weld County Sheriff's Office deputy located a vehicle with stolen plates. Radio traffic obtained by CBS News Colorado followed the response. Within five minutes of confirming the plate on the white GMC Yukon was stolen out of Greeley, deputies from WCSO were working to pull over the car. The driver was initially driving and taking several turns around Platteville before turning toward Highways 85 and 60. Deputies eventually turned on their police lights after backup arrived. "I'm just about behind you, so if you want to light him, go for it. If he runs, he runs," one deputy is heard saying over the radio. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Kayla Dickinson, pulled over near CR 36 and Highway 85. Within 30 seconds of deputies reporting that the vehicle had stopped, they got back on the radio and reported that the vehicle was driving away from the deputies. The Weld County Sheriff said that is when deputies tried to relocate the vehicle, refusing to use the word pursuit until completing their own investigation. Colorado State Patrol defined the relocation of the vehicle as a pursuit. Within 40 seconds of Dickinson driving away from deputies, the same deputies reported that she had driven into oncoming traffic on Highway 85. Not knowing who the driver was, deputies referred to Dickinson as a male while on the radio. "Dispatch, he is northbound in southbound lanes," a deputy said. Within 10 seconds of reporting to dispatch that Dickinson was driving into oncoming traffic, deputies got on the radio to say they were pulling back from their relocation efforts, as described by WCSO. "Dispatch, we are going to discontinue," a deputy said. However, around seven seconds after saying they were discontinuing, it was reported that there was a crash. "Collision, can you start fire and medical ASAP? We have fire with two vehicles involved," a deputy said. Middle school teacher Christine Schwarz was killed by Dickinson, according to police. Dickinson and an unidentified passenger in her car also died.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 of 3 killed in Weld County crash identified by coroner
DENVER (KDVR) — Three people were killed in a crash in Weld County on Wednesday, and the Coroner's office released two of their identities on Friday. The crash happened around 3 p.m. on Highway 85 in Platteville. Colorado State Patrol and the Weld County Sheriff's Office said that a GMC Yukon was driving northbound on Highway 85 and crossed into oncoming traffic at Highway 60, crashing head-on with a Toyota 4Runner. The crash caused a gas leak and a fire. CSP said troopers tried to separate the burning vehicles using a push bumper and attempted to put out the fire with fire extinguishers, but all occupants in the vehicles died. The driver of the Yukon was identified as Kayla Dickinson, 37, of Evans. The passenger's identity has not been released pending next-of-kin notification. The driver of the 4Runner was identified as Christine Ann Schwarz, 57, of Mead. A deputy was treated for minor injuries on the scene and a CSP cruiser was damaged in efforts to separate the vehicles. The Weld County School District RE-1 told FOX31 on Friday that a La Salle North Valley Middle School seventh-grade science teacher was among those who died in the crash. The school's website lists Christine Schwarz among its staff. The school's superintendent told FOX31's Vicente Arenas in an interview that the district canceled classes on Thursday and Friday after the crash. Several members of the small community told Arenas that the death has hit the community hard. According to the Colorado Department of Education, there are about 1,700 students in the entire district, which includes six schools spread across three towns on Highway 85. CSP said in a press release Thursday that deputies with the Weld County Sheriff's Office were pursuing a suspected stolen GMC Yukon on northbound Highway 85 before the crash. The sheriff's office said in a release Thursday that a deputy had pulled the driver over, and when the deputy approached the vehicle, they drove off at a high rate of speed. At some point while the deputy was trying to locate the vehicle, WCSO said the fleeing driver crossed into oncoming traffic and hit the other vehicle. The Weld County Sheriff's Office told FOX31's Vicente Arenas that they are not sure if the crash was related to a pursuit, but an investigation is underway. CSP's Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating the crash, and the sheriff's office said it is conducting an internal investigation into the circumstances leading up to the crash. FOX31 is working to gather more information and will provide updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
