Steamboat man arrested after fleeing scene of accident
An 18-year-old Steamboat man appeared in district court Tuesday after he was arrested over the weekend following a major car crash on Routt County Road 129 on Saturday evening.
Sebastian Craigen could face up to 14 charges including three counts of felony vehicular assault, according to an affidavit filed by Colorado State Patrol.
District Attorney Matt Karzen told the court Tuesday that investigators are still compiling evidence and gathering statements, and would wait until the end of the week before filing a more “complete” felony complaint, a spokesperson for his office said.
According to the affidavit, Craigen was behind the wheel of a Jeep carrying four other passengers — all minors — and traveling southbound on Routt County Road 129 near milepost 41 just after 9:30 p.m. Saturday when the vehicle began to fishtail before going off the left side of the road and rolling one time down a steep embankment.
One of the passengers was ejected during the crash, and all four sustained multiple or serious injuries before being taken to UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs, according to police.
Craigen allegedly fled the scene before first responders arrived and “was overheard stating that he did not want to face the consequences” before he left the accident site, according to the state patrol’s affidavit.
In witness interviews with officers at the hospital, “the passengers stated they were all drinking” with one passenger telling police they observed Craigen drinking while driving.
Police also located a half-empty bottle of Skyy Vodka and a can of Twisted Tea among the accident wreckage.
Despite a two-hour search by members of Routt County Search and Rescue members, Craigen was not located until the following morning when police received a call just before 8 a.m. that he was being transported to the hospital after being involved in a crash the night before.
Police arrived at the hospital and arrested Craigen before taking him to the Routt County Jail, where during his booking, officers found a fake Arizona driver’s license in his possession.
“That’s my fake ID. I’ll probably get in trouble for that as well,” Craigen told officers, according to the affidavit.
Trevor Ballantyne is the city government and housing reporter. To reach him, call 970-871-4254 or email him at tballantyne@SteamboatPilot.com.
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