From CSP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: 11-15-2009 Time: 10:30 p.m.
On November 15, 2009 at approximately 5:10 p.m., two Colorado State Troopers were involved in a serious injury crash on Highway 225 near Parker Road in Arapahoe County.
The troopers were investigating a previous crash on northbound Highway 225. Both troopers were standing on the left shoulder of the roadway. A gold 1998 Ford Explorer lost control on the icy roadway. The Ford Explorer struck the silver 2008 Ford Crown Victoria Patrol Car parked on the left shoulder. The patrol car was pushed into the center concrete median barrier and into both troopers. The Ford Explorer then struck a green 2001 Nissan Pathfinder that was involved in the previous crash.
The Colorado State Troopers were transported to Aurora South Hospital with moderate and serious non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the Ford Explorer has been identified as Edilberto Garcia-Castro, age 30 of Aurora, Colo. The passengers were identified as Brenda Marcelo, age 26 and Fernanda Garcia, age 4 both from Aurora, Colo. No injuries were sustained and all were properly restrained in the vehicle.
The driver of the Nissan has been identified as Andrew Chernyak, age 47 of Aurora, Colo. The passenger has been identified as Lesya Chernyak, age 43 of Aurora, Colo. No injuries were sustained and both were properly restrained.
Edilberto Garcia-Castro has been charged with the following:
• Careless Driving causing Injury
• Exceeded Safe Speed for Conditions
• Drove without a Valid Driver's License
Alcohol or drugs are NOT suspected as contributing factors. The leading contributing factor in this crash was the driver traveling too fast for the road conditions. The road conditions at the time were described as wet and icy.
The Colorado State Patrol would like to remind motorists to slow down and use caution as they drive through inclement conditions and when approaching an accident scene.
With three troopers being hit and injured this weekend this is a reminder of the dangers that of our officers, firefighters, EMT's and highway workers encounter on a daily basis.
More information will be released as it becomes available.