Off-Duty Sheriff's Deputy Involved In Motorcycle Crash Taken Off Life Support
DENVER (CBS4) - CBS4 has learned that the victim in a deadly motorcycle accident on Santa Fe Drive on Thursday was a Denver sheriff's deputy.
Denver Deputy Sheriff Anthony Petranilli, 53, was off duty when the crash happened just south of C-470. He was thrown from his motorcycle after colliding with another vehicle.
Petranilli's family took him off life support late Sunday night.
"He remained on life support until about 9 p.m. (Sunday) night. He was surrounded by family, friends and staff from the Denver Sheriff Department when he died," Simon Crittle with the Denver Sheriff Department said in a statement. "Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins said Deputy Petranilli was a much loved and well-respected member of the DSD family, and the entire department was in mourning."
The Colorado State Patrol said an ambulance traveling in the opposite direction may have triggered the traffic lights to change their pattern and confusing drivers.
Investigators are still looking into the exact cause of the crash.
Petranilli worked at the County Jail on Smith Road and was a 19-year veteran with the department, according to Crittle.
Petranilli is survived by his only 17-year-old son, Tony Jr. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Tony Jr. pay for funeral costs. All extra proceedings will go to Tony Jr. in a trust fund.
