News

Actions

Police: Driver who hit Longmont girl on her bicycle was under influence of pot

Posted at 8:42 AM, Jul 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-27 10:42:00-04

LONGMONT, Colo. -- Investigators believe a driver who struck and killed an 8-year-old girl riding a bicycle in Longmont in May was under the influence of marijuana.

Police announced their findings Tuesday and said they plan to arrest the unidentified 20-year-old man by the end of the week.

Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett told the Longmont Times-Call that the science around marijuana intoxication is more complex than with alcohol but he believes there is enough evidence to prove the driver was impaired.

At the time of the crash, investigators said the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

Peyton Knowlton, 8, was hit in an intersection as she rode her bike with her stepfather. She was returning from an end-of-the-school year celebration with her fellow second graders.