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Updated: 3:35 PM Feb 16, 2010
Soldiers Killed in Head-on Accident ID'd; Driver Suspected of DUI
Investigators say speed and alcohol are the likely factors in an accident that killed two Fort Carson soldiers and has left another fighting for his life. The accident happened early Saturday morning on Highway 115.
Posted: 8:30 AM Feb 13, 2010Reporter: KKTV 11 News Email Address: news@kktv.com |
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Investigators say speed and alcohol are the likely factors in an accident that killed two Fort Carson soldiers and has left another fighting for his life. The accident happened early Saturday morning on Highway 115 at Hitch Rack Ranch Road.
Troopers say the soldiers were driving in an Audi when the driver, 24-year-old Jordan Peters of Ft. Carson, crossed the center line and hit a large utility truck belonging to a construction safety crew head-on.
Both soldiers in the front seat were wearing seat belts while a rear passenger was unfastened. The passengers, Spc. Kale Clay and Pfc. Pawel Serafin, were pronounced dead on scene. Peters was taken to Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A photo of Kale Clay can be seen by clicking on the Photos tab. There is no picture of Pawel Serafin available at this time.
The driver of the utility truck, 48-year-old Jimmy Clift of Canyon City, was also transported to Memorial Hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.
Fort Carson says 23-year-old Spc. Kale Clay joined the Army in September 2007 and has served one tour of duty in Iraq with the 3-16 Field Artillery Regiment, 2BCT, 4ID. He was a native of Boise, Idaho.
Pfc. Pawel Serafin, 28, was a native of Hillsborough, NJ. He joined the Army in April of 2009. He was also a member of 3-16 Field Artillery Regiment, 2BCT, 4ID.
Peters has not been charged yet but Colorado State Patrol says both alcohol and speed are being investigated as having contributed to the crash, that state patrol says Peters caused.
"Why should we lose a soldier to drinking and driving," asked James Forrest, the founder of Every 15 Minutes of Colorado Springs. Forrest has a close connection with this accident. While in high school, his girlfriend died after being hit by a drunk driver.
A few years ago, Fort Carson asked Forrest to bring his program to the post. "They had too many fatalities, they were also having too many of their soldiers being pulled over for D.U.I.'s," said Forrest.
Colorado State Patrol says alcohol and speed appear to be factors in the crash.
Fort Carson officials wouldn't comment on any details of the accident but they did release a statement saying what happened is very tragic and their hearts go out to the families of the soldiers involved.
For more information on Every 15 Minutes of Colorado Springs, you can click the link below.
Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Latest Comments
It is surprising to me how many people base their opinions off of speculation and false reports. I watched three news channels last night that claimed they were reporting factual information on the case when, in fact, they all reported inaccurately. The facts; the soldiers were told specifically by senior leaders NOT to drink and drive over the weekend. The driver was TWICE the legal limit and the two soldiers who lost their lives were also found to have alcohol in their system and that is why they weren't driving. The driver of the truck displayed no signs of intoxication therefore, he was not tested. Peters was traveling southbound and crashed head on with a truck traveling in the northbound lane. Accident investigators proved this! The good men and women of the military panel voted based on these facts. Peters made the choice to drive and was at fault, period. Ultimately, the families of all involved lost. Please, have the facts before speaking out of ignorance. God bless our Army!
I've read most of these comments. Kale was my older brother and because of stupid mistakes his life had been ended. But to judge one another isn't right and I know that this is something many can learn from. I hope that you understand the dangers of vehicles, let alone under the influence. These were good men and shouldn't be thought as bad people because of mistakes many make. It's not up to us to decide whose right and whose wrong. Just realize the consequences to every action and think about things before you act upon them. I love my brother and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him. I didn't know the other soldiers but I do know that they were all good friends, and in that, I love them both as well. Our prayers are with the other families.
Reading everyone's thoughts on this tragedy. There is so much to be learned from this, and I hope everyone will recognize the importance of not drinking and driving, if that indeed is proven to be a cause. Nor allowing anyone else to drive impaired. It is easy to judge, or place blame. They made wrong choices, like many of us do, this one has horrible consequences that cannot be changed. I hope the driver of the truck, going to work is okay, and I pray for Jordan Peters, he was my son's friend, and I know he has a lot to carry on his shoulders, but pray he can make great things of his life, his friends, Kale and Pawell would want that of him. I love my son, and miss him so much, cannot believe he is gone from our lives forever. Many of you knew him, thank you for being his friend. We pray for Pawell's family as well. Our prayers to Jordan's momma, those are heavy burden's on a momma's heart, we cannot bear the heartache our children feel. Please, let us work together watch over each
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