Driver Celebrating 30th Birthday Slams Into Car, Killing Woman
Police Say Butt Was Driving Under Influence Of Alcohol
POSTED: 7:50 am MST December 29, 2003
UPDATED: 7:02 pm MST December 29, 2003
WESTMINSTER, Colo. -- A man faces charges of driving under the influence, vehicular homicide and vehicular assault after slamming his sport utility vehicle into another car, killing the other driver.
The accident on Sunday evening closed the intersection of 80th Avenue and Federal Boulevard in Westminster for several hours.
Police say a 21-year-old woman driving a Ford Focus was killed when a green Chevrolet Blazer ran a red light and slammed into her.She was identified as Kristen L. Metzinger of Westminster. A passenger in her car was also seriously injured, said Tim Torres with the Westminster Police Department.The driver of the Blazer was identified as 30-year-old David Gordon Butt. He was arrested at the scene for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said he had been out celebrating his 30th birthday.Some eyewitnesses told police that they had followed the Butt's Blazer for several blocks before the crash."They were indicating he ran several red lights prior to the collision. Some of the witnesses gave estimates to officers on the scene that the vehicle was travelling between 70 and 100 mph," Torres said.
Police said Butt's passenger also was seriously injured, and Butt suffered minor injuries. All the passengers are recovering at St. Anthony's Central Hospital.Butt is currently being held at the Adams County jail without bond. In addition to the accident-related charges, Butt is also facing an additional charge of possession of a scheduled II controlled substance.Officers across the state said they willl be blanketing Colorado with DUI checkpoints through New Year's Day."The checkpoints in the past have been more or less stationary, but they're designed now so we can pack up and move from one location to another in a short amount of time," said Colorado State Patrol trooper Ron Watkins.Authorities are hoping that being visible and vigilant will save lives."People don't understand the impact driving drunk has, especially if someone is hurt or killed," Watkins said.So far this holiday season, officers have made more than 600 DUI arrests in Colorado.
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Young Woman Killed By Man Suspected Of Driving Under Influence|
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Police said Butt's passenger also was seriously injured, and Butt suffered minor injuries. All the passengers are recovering at St. Anthony's Central Hospital.Butt is currently being held at the Adams County jail without bond. In addition to the accident-related charges, Butt is also facing an additional charge of possession of a scheduled II controlled substance.Officers across the state said they willl be blanketing Colorado with DUI checkpoints through New Year's Day."The checkpoints in the past have been more or less stationary, but they're designed now so we can pack up and move from one location to another in a short amount of time," said Colorado State Patrol trooper Ron Watkins.Authorities are hoping that being visible and vigilant will save lives."People don't understand the impact driving drunk has, especially if someone is hurt or killed," Watkins said.So far this holiday season, officers have made more than 600 DUI arrests in Colorado. Copyright 2005 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
