The Brighton Police Department is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on December 28th at approximately 12:30 a.m., at the intersection of Highway 85 and Weld County Road 2.5.  

The initial investigation determined a Ford SUV traveling westbound on Weld County Road 2.5 ran the stop sign at Highway 85 and was struck by a GMC SUV traveling northbound on Highway 85. Two of the occupants of the Ford were ejected, and two other occupants fled the scene on foot. One of the occupants who was ejected was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries, and the other ejected occupant was pronounced deceased on scene. The occupants of the GMC were all transported to area hospitals for treatment.  

Preliminary information indicates the party who died at the scene may have been struck by another vehicle after the initial crash, which also fled the scene. No information on this vehicle is available for release at this time.  

Both of the occupants of the Ford who fled on foot were located shortly after fleeing. One was taken to an area hospital to be treated for injuries. The other individual, Erik Diaz Olivas, a 20-year-old male, was transported to an area hospital and later booked into the Weld County Jail on the charges listed below: 

18-3-106(1)(B) VEHICULAR HOMICIDE DUI DRIVING  

18-3-208 RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT  

42-4-1409(3) FAILURE TO DISPLAY PROOF OF INSURANCE  

42-2-138(1)(A) DRIVING AFTER REVOCATION (REVOKED)  

42-4-1606(1) FAILED TO REMAIN AT/ RETURN TO ACCIDENT AS DIRECTED BY PO  

18-3-205(1)(a) VEHICULAR ASSAULT -RECKLESS DRIVING  

42-4-237(2) SEAT BELT NOT USED  

42-4-603 FAIL OBEY TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE  

18-13-122(3)(A);4(A) ALCOHOL-UNDER 21 POSSES/CONSUMP   

The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending positive identification by the coroner’s office and notification of next of kin. This investigation remains ongoing and is still in the early stages. Under Colorado laws, the arrest and filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual committed a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Brighton Police Department tip line at (303) 655-8740.   

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