Driver Accused Of Killing CSP Cadet Charged With Murder
BOULDER, Colo. (AP/CBS4) - A driver accused of hitting and killing a Colorado State Patrol cadet while fleeing a traffic stop has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and other crimes.
Boulder County prosecutors filed the charges against 27-year-old Christopher Gebers Monday.
Police say Gebers hit and killed 21-year-old cadet Taylor Thyfault and seriously injured Trooper Clinton Rushing while they were at a separate crash investigation in Longmont on May 23.
While investigating that crash, Rushing learned of the approaching chase and deployed stop sticks to try to catch Gebers. Gebers swerved to miss the sticks and hit Rushing and then Thyfault.
Gebers says his accelerator and emergency brake were stuck.
Gebers has also been charged with driving with a suspended license and using illegal blue or red lights on his car.
Several Colorado State Patrol troopers came to the courthouse in uniform to attend the hearing.
Rushing is improving as he recovers from his injuries.
Longmont police spokesman Jeff Satur said they treat the investigation of all cases in the same way, but admitted that when the victims are members of law enforcement, there is added pressure.
"It definitely adds a little bit of stress but again we try to do a very thorough job on all our cases, but it does touch home when it involves law enforcement," Satur said. "But our goal is to gather all the information, gather all the facts. And we'll continue to do that."
Gebers is expected back in court on July 30 for his preliminary hearing.
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