One officer killed, another seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle in Golden

One police officer is dead and another is seriously injured after a suspected DUI incident Wednesday night in Golden.

The incident happened just before 5 p.m. on Highway 58 east of Washington Avenue while three officers were investigating a crash on the overpass.

Two officers managed the crash site, while the other office was in a police car on the side of the road. According to the Colorado State Patrol, the driver of a passing vehicle then struck the investigating officers and pushed them under the original crash.

One officer, a 33-year-old military veteran, died at the scene. The other was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. The slain officer’s wife asked that his name not be released. According to the Officers Down Memorial pagethis is Colorado’s first death so far in 2024.

The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating the incident and has charged 43-year-old Stephen Geer with vehicular homicide while driving under the influence, two counts of vehicular assault and a misdemeanor charge related to the state’s enhanced Move Over law. It is unclear whether Geer was under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of substances.

Governor Jared Polis signed into law HB23-1123 in 2023, which requires drivers to move into a lane when passing a stopped vehicle on a highway or slowing down to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit. The new protections came next 2022 was the deadliest year on Colorado roads since 1981.

CSP has closed Highway 58 between CO 93 and Interstate 70 with no expected reopening time. Motorists are asked to avoid the area.

This is a developing story and will be updated.