Three Pueblo dispatchers are on paid administrative leave. The announcement was made Monday. The three are under investigation after an emergency call came in about a stalled vehicle on Interstate 25. The stalled vehicle on Thursday, according to the Colorado State Patrol, was the cause of a deadly accident.

On December 17, at around 1:30 in the morning, the Colorado State Patrol was notified of a crash in the southbound lanes near Fountain. There, a Mazda sedan hit a deer and was disabled in the right lane of traffic. The passenger in the Mazda contacted patrol at 1:37 a.m. and told them the Mazda was in the lane of travel with no lights or flashers.

Around 13 minutes later, a Ford Explorer driven by Heather Clinton, 20 of San Manuel, Arizona lost control while approaching the Mazda. The Ford rolled into the center median. Ms. Clinton and her brother, Earl “E.J.” Clinton, 22, also of San Manuel were ejected.

Ms. Clinton died at the scene. Mr. Clinton sustained serious injuries and was taken to Memorial Hospital.

During the course of the initial investigation, the Colorado State Patrol learned of a delay within the Pueblo Regional Communication Center.

There was a nine-minute delay between the dispatch center receiving the initial call from the passenger in the Mazda, and the time a trooper received the information from dispatch. The trooper was dispatched at 1:46 a.m.

Three members of the Pueblo Regional Communication Center have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

“We are proactively coming forward with this information because we are holders of the public trust” said Colonel James Wolfinbarger, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “It’s important that we step forward even when the news isn’t good.”

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and are committed to a thorough and comprehensive internal investigation. I met earlier this afternoon with Heather and E.J.’s parents to discuss the findings of our preliminary investigation. The thoughts and prayers of the Colorado State Patrol are with the Clinton family.”

Anyone who may have witnessed this accident is encouraged to contact the Colorado State Patrol at 719-248-8991.