Finger pushing
weather icon 72°F


Alleged drunk driver charged after hitting 4 emergency responders in Commerce City

24-year-old Benjamin Winters was charged with vehicular assault - DUI, 3rd-degree assault

The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple charges against the alleged drunk driver who drove through a firefighter barricade in Commerce City and hit two cops and two firefighters, leaving all four injured.

Benjamin Winters,24, was arrested on Dec. 7 after he allegedly struck four emergency responders on the westbound lanes of Interstate 76 near Sable Boulevard around 9 p.m.

Both the Commerce City Police Department and South Adams County Fire Department had shut down two lanes of Interstate 76 to work on a previous car crash. Winters allegedly drove past the barricade in a Toyota Tacoma and hit four first responders. All four survived their injuries.

Winters was suspected to have been under the influence during the incident.

The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced they have filed charges of vehicular assault — DUI, vehicular assault — reckless and three counts of  third-degree assault of a first responder.

Ken Koger, fire chief for the South Adams County Fire Department, said during a press conference last week that the firefighters had blocked off the roads correctly, following Tactical Emergency Medical Services protocols.

“These guys are trained. They parked their vehicles to protect them, and it’s still not enough,” Koger said. “Being a firefighter today and walking into burning buildings, it’s not the danger of the job anymore. It’s being on the highways. This has got to stop.”

Benjamin Winters, 24, was arrested Thursday night on allegations he drove drunk and caused injuries by crashing into four first responders helping with another crash on I-76 in Commerce City. (Courtesy photo, Adams County Sheriff's via 9NEWS)
Benjamin Winters, 24, was arrested Thursday night on allegations he drove drunk and caused injuries by crashing into four first responders helping with another crash on I-76 in Commerce City. (Courtesy photo, Adams County Sheriff’s via 9NEWS)
Master Trooper Gary Cutler of the Colorado State Patrol speaks to the media at the Commerce City Police Department on Friday regarding the suspected DUI crash that injured four responders.
Master Trooper Gary Cutler of the Colorado State Patrol speaks to the media at the Commerce City Police Department on Friday regarding the suspected DUI crash that injured four responders. “We were very fortunate that this didn’t go much, much worse,” Cutler said. “We can’t keep lucking out like this.” (SageKelleyJefferson County [email protected]://denvergazette.com/content/tncms/avatars/e/5f/457/e5f45740-2717-11ee-85b2-ab80f2d36252.5b966c1d2ce4987987665d57c237eda4.png)


Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests