Two Nighttime Crashes Kill Two People in Pueblo County

Overview

• The crashes occurred the night of Saturday, June 6, with the first at about 9:50 p.m. on eastbound Highway 50 at milepost 312 where a Chevrolet Trax struck a pedestrian.
• The pedestrian in the Highway 50 collision was a 46-year-old man later identified by the Pueblo County Coroner as Robert J. Hepler and was pronounced dead at the scene.
• Around 11:20–11:30 p.m. on Highway 165 near milepost 36 a Subaru failed to negotiate a right-hand curve, crossed into oncoming traffic, hit a split rail fence and rolled several times, ejecting the driver who was later identified as 36-year-old Crystal M. Case.
• Colorado State Patrol troopers say initial findings include the Highway 50 driver braking to avoid the pedestrian and the Highway 165 vehicle losing control before the rollover, and both crashes are now being handled by CSP’s Vehicular Crimes Unit.
• The Pueblo County Coroner has completed identifications and investigators warn that determining speed, impairment, mechanical issues or road conditions will take time and may affect whether any charges are filed.