Suspect identified in crash that killed Golden police officer and injured another

GOLDEN, Colo. – The identity of the suspected DUI driver in Wednesday night’s crash that killed one Golden police officer and injured another has been released.

Stephen Geer, 43, was charged with vehicular homicide while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. According to Colorado State Patrol and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Geer is also charged with two counts of vehicular assault while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causing serious injury to another person.

The two Golden police officers had stopped on Highway 58 to investigate an earlier crash involving a pink Toyota Tacoma and a silver Subaru that occurred around 4:38 p.m. Wednesday, Geer’s arrest affidavit states. Both cars were stopped on the side of Highway 58 with one of the drivers and her father outside the vehicles with both police officers.

According to the arrest affidavit, the driver of a black Mazda then struck the rear of the Tacoma and Subaru around 4:53 p.m., striking all four people standing on the side of the road.

Golden

Golden police officer fatally struck by suspected DUI driver on Highway 58

One officer was pinned underneath the Subaru and later pronounced dead. Golden Police Chief Joe Harvey said the officer’s wife asked that his name not be released. The police chief identified the fallen officer only as a 33-year-old man. According to the American newspaper, this is the first death in Colorado in 2024 during his military service Officer Down Memorial Page.

“He’s a wonderful person. He had a long, fantastic career in the military, flying Black Hawk helicopters and serving as a commander,” Harvey said. “He will be survived by an amazing wife, a sister and parents… Internally, he will be survived by 71 members of his Golden family.”

The other Golden police officer struck in the crash suffered a broken cheekbone, according to Geer’s arrest affidavit. The driver of the Tacoma suffered a skull fracture and a brain hemorrhage and her father was thrown over the barrier, cutting his head and elbow.

After the driver of the black Mazda allegedly hit the four people, he got out of the car. The driver of the Subaru asked him if he was in the car during the crash, and the driver of the black Mazda said he was behind the wheel, according to the arrest affidavit.

Another police officer arrived on scene and spoke with Geer and asked him to participate in roadside testing, the arrest affidavit said.

Geer told the officer he worked at the Colorado School of Mines and had stopped to get a beer before driving home. Geer said he saw yellow flashing lights and tried to stop, but was unable to and rear-ended a stopped vehicle. He remembered hearing screams but had trouble remembering anything else, according to arrest documents.

Paul C. Johnson, president of the Colorado School of Mines, released the following statement in response to news of the crash:

“Mine has been informed by the Golden Police Department that one of our employees was involved in the fatal accident in Golden on November 6. The mining community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a Golden police officer yesterday and the injuries of a second officer while responding to a crash on Colorado 58. The officers, their families, their colleagues in the Golden Police Department and all others closely affected by this devastating event are in our thoughts and prayers. We join them in mourning today, we pray for the injured officer’s recovery, and we will look for ways to provide support during this incredibly difficult time.”

After conducting a battery of roadside tests, police gave Geer a written copy of his Miranda rights. After reading and signing the document, Geer refused to speak further with officers or participate in any other tests, according to his arrest affidavit.

According to court records, Geer is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, November 14 at 10am. His bond was set at $250,000.

Golden police officer fatally struck by suspected DUI driver during Highway 58 crash investigation