The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Struck by vehicle trailer while riding on Hwy. 135
By Adam Broderick
Tragedy struck on Highway 135 last Friday, June 19 at 4:25 p.m. when Dale Thomas, 64, was killed while riding his bicycle southbound near Gunnison County Road 8. He was wearing a helmet.
Colorado State Patrol trooper Nate Reid told the Crested Butte News that a 1998 Dodge 2500 Ram was being driven southbound on Hwy. 135 by Saul Diaz-Sabas, age 16, of Gunnison. The bicycle was traveling south on the shoulder of southbound Hwy. 135. The Dodge made a right turn onto County Road 8 and while making the turn struck the bicycle with its trailer. Thomas was ejected from his bicycle and subsequently run over by the trailer tires. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Reid said Diaz-Sabas will be charged with two misdemeanor counts: Careless driving resulting in death and driving without a valid driver’s license.
According to Colorado statutes, careless driving resulting in death is a significantly less serious crime than its felony counterpart, vehicular homicide. In short, careless driving is driving inattentively and is punishable by a possible maximum sentence of one year in county jail. Diaz-Sabas is a minor so the courts could treat him differently from how an adult would be treated.
