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Updated: 10:11 AM Dec 22, 2009
Fatal Accident Prompts Investigation
Colorado Springs Three Pueblo State Patrol Communications Officers have been placed on paid administrative leave. The announcement was made Monday. The workers 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.
Posted: 5:17 PM Dec 21, 2009Reporter: 11 News Email Address: news@kktv.com |
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7 Comments 
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.
Latest Comments
This story raises two questions: 1) Why didn't the driver of the stalled Mazda push his vehicle off the traffic lane - especially at night, with no lights or flashers? 2) Heather and EJ Clinton were apparently "ejected during the rollover." Weren't they wearing seat belts?
So sad... so incredibly sad. To think she would have been just fine if some idiot hadn't been watching a movie is gut-wrenching. I can't imagine what her family is going through; losing one and almost losing another child. That dispatcher will live with this for the rest of his or her life. Whatever happens to their career (once the ruling on negligence or whatever is made, and whether he or she faces prison for this, they'll have to wake up knowing that a young woman is no longer here as a result of their actions (intentional or not). I'm glad the department voluntarily came forward with the information. Though nothing can make this right for the family- this is a good first step at taking responsibility.
I agree with G, although all things seem to point to the lack of communication on the dispatchers part, i don't think they sit around trying to get days off. I do agree it with you Wendie that it should be unpaid. with that said as G stated the Colorado State Parol has steped fprward and is doing the right thing and investigating the situation, mant times we would not even know of a situation this bad but here it is in the public eye. Lets allow the parties to do the investigation and then hand out the punishment to fit any and all violations.
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