Golden Police identify officer killed in crash involving drunk driving suspect

GOLDEN, Colo. — The Golden Police officer killed in a crash Wednesday night while on duty has been identified as a recent graduate of the department’s police academy.

According to the department, Evan Dunn, 33, served as an Army Aviation Officer and Blackhawk pilot before joining the department as a code enforcement officer, where he served for a year before graduating from the the department’s academy in July.

He was partnered with Officer Bethany Grusing, his field training officer, who was also injured in the crash that happened on Highway 58 around shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday.

According to an arrest affidavit, Dunn and Grusing were investigating a crash between a pink Toyota Tacoma and a silver Subaru on Highway 58 that happened around 4:30 p.m.

The document says there was light snow and slick roads at the time and that a single patrol car with its emergency lights flashing was blocking the left lane as they investigated the initial crash.

Both vehicles involved in the first crash were in front of the patrol car. Dunn, Grusing and two people associated with the Tacoma were standing in front of the Subaru.

Oncoming traffic was moving to the right, but the driver of a black Mazda failed to do so and struck the Pink Tacoma which then hit the Subaru, the affidavit says.

The Subaru was pushed forward into Dunn, Grusing and the two others.

Dunn was pinned under the Subaru and died at the scene.

Golden Police Chief Joe Harvey described Dunn as an “amazing human being” who flew Black Hawk helicopters in the military and served as a commander. He is survived by his wife, sister and parents.

 “Internally, he’s going to be survived by 71 members of his Golden family who love and care for him deeply,” Harvey said.

Grusing suffered a facial fracture. The woman who was driving the Toyota had a skull fracture, and her father, who had arrived at the scene to assist her, was thrown over the jersey barrier into the westbound lanes, the affidavit says. He had cuts to his head and elbow.

The department said they’re working on funeral arrangements and coordinating details for those who wish to offer support. Donations can be made to Colorado Fallen, the official donation website for Officer Evan Dunn. 

Stephen Geer, 43, is in custody in connection with the crash and is facing multiple charges. He made his first court appearance Thursday morning where a judge ordered him to be held on a $250,000 cash or surety despite his lack of criminal history. Prosecutors noted the crash could have resulted in the deaths of four people.

He faces the following charges.

• Vehicular Homicide -DUI-causing death
• Two counts of vehicular assault – DUI
• Failure to exercise due care when approaching a stationary vehicle resulting in death (felony move over law)
• DUI

Investigators contacted Geer at the scene while he was leaning against a guardrail. He told them he worked at the School of Mines and was on his way home, the affidavit says.

He told them he was headed eastbound on Highway 58 and saw yellow flashing lights and tried to stop but couldn’t and rear-ended a vehicle, the affidavit says.

He said he then heard screaming but had a “difficult time” remembering further details.

Geer claimed he had one 16-ounce beer at a brewery but investigators said they noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath, the affidavit says.

A CSP trooper reported that Geer was “unsteady” and had a slight sway as he walked. While it was icy, the trooper noted his “unsteady gait” differed from when Geer slipped on a patch of ice and the trooper had to “catch him” by his arm.

They said, according to the affidavit, that Geer initially agreed to perform roadside sobriety tests but ultimately did not complete them. A warrant was later issued for a blood draw which was completed at the hospital.

During court Thursday, Geer’s public defender said the crash “could’ve happened to everyone” and said there was “no setup” alerting him to the crash ahead as he came around a curve.

The Colorado School of Mines released a statement Thursday saying they were notified that an employee was involved in the crash. The school website indicates that Geer is a teaching assistant professor in the mechanical engineering department.

“The Mines community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a Golden police officer yesterday and injuries to a second officer while they were responding to a crash on Colorado 58,” the statement went on to say.

“The officers, their families, their colleagues in the Golden Police Department, and all others closely affected by this devastating event, are in our thoughts and prayers. We grieve with them today, we pray for the recovery of the injured officer, and we will look for ways to offer support during this incredibly difficult time.”

The intersection of Highway 58 and Washington Avenue was closed following the crash. According to CSP, the highway was reopened at 12:53 a.m. Thursday.