Monument high school student dies in crash at ski resort
A Palmer Ridge High School student died Monday night from injuries suffered while snowboarding at Keystone Resort.
Levi Inama, 14, from Monument hit a tree near the beginner trail Two Sled on Dercum Mountain about 9:20 a.m. Saturday. He was later transported to the Keystone Medical Center by ski patrol.
A bystander witnessed the crash and no one else was involved in the incident, according to a Tuesday statement by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
Inama was transported to a hospital in Denver while in a coma but presenting stable vitals later Saturday. He was taken off life support Sunday and died Monday.
Keystone Resort confirmed the incident took place over the weekend in a public statement.
“Keystone Resort, Keystone Ski Patrol and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest’s family and friends,” said Chris Sorensen, vice president and general manager at Keystone Resort.
Palmer Ridge High School Principal Adam Frank shared a message to Lewis-Palmer District 38 staff, friends and families informing them of Inama’s passing the following Sunday.
“Levi will be remembered by our community as a friend, athlete, scholar and wonderful person,” Frank said in the message.
“Levi was kind, respected and caring, and his presence will be missed in our halls, as well as on our football and track teams, where he was a hard-working, student-athlete.”
Frank added that school leaders, counselors and mental health professionals would be available to anyone in need of support throughout the week.
Additional after-hours resources mentioned include:
Colorado Crisis Services, a confidential support line, text TALK to 38255 or call 1-844-493-8255: https://coloradocrisisservices.org/
Safe2Tell for any safety concerns or call 911 for emergencies
Crisis Textline: https://www.crisistextline.org/ for all forms of crisis support
D-38 Website: LPSD Wellness Resources
Diversus Walk-in Crisis Center
“Please know that during challenging times like this, it is important to support one another and rally together as a community, and we will continue to do our best as a district as our community looks to heal,” D-38 Superintendent KC Somers and Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine said in a joint message to the community.