Head-on collision on Highway 135

One man arrested

A collision near Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery on Highway 135 sent two drivers to the hospital Sunday evening and resulted in one driver being arrested. According to John Ehmsen of the Colorado State Patrol, the crash was ruled a vehicular assault.

“A southbound Jeep crossed the double yellow center-lines and struck a northbound Honda head-on. The driver of the Jeep was arrested for vehicular assault and the driver of the Honda sustained [what is statutorily called] serious bodily injury,” Ehmsen reported.
According to the police report blotter, the crash occurred on Sunday, December 2 at 5:30 p.m. The southbound Jeep, driven by 27-year-old John Brotherton, rolled one time and came to a stop on its wheels in the northbound lane. The Honda, driven by 73-year-old Jean Duffy, rotated counter-clockwise and went off the road.
Both drivers were taken to Gunnison Valley Hospital (GVH). The hospital was unable to release full details, but according to GVH communications specialist Courtney Tanning, both drivers have been released.
Brotherton was arrested for vehicular assault. According to Ehmsen, in this case, “it means that we believe we had probable cause to show that the driver of the Jeep was impaired, and his driving conduct caused [statutory] serious bodily injury to the woman in the Honda.”