COMMERCE CITY, Colo — A man who was driving drunk in December when he crashed into multiple first responders who were investigating an earlier crash pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to multiple charges in Adams County District Court.
Benjamin Winters was arrested after the Dec. 7 crash on Interstate 76 near Sable Boulevard in the Commerce City area. Commerce City Police Department (CCPD) officers and South Adams County firefighters were outside their vehicles investigating a separate, single-vehicle crash in the westbound lanes when they were hit, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
RELATED: Charges filed against suspect involved in Commerce City crash that injured 4 first responders
Investigators said Winters drove around a firetruck on the left shoulder, reentered the roadway and hit the officers and firefighters, who were in the left lane near a patrol car. He continued on before coming to a stop on the left shoulder.
One of the firefighters suffered serious injuries and required surgery.
> Content Warning: This video contains graphic images of the crash and may be difficult for some people to watch.
On Wednesday morning, Winters pleaded guilty to all charges against him. That included:
- Vehicular assault - DUI
- Vehicular assault - reckless
- Three counts of third-degree assault - first responder
He's set to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 9.
The Commerce City Police Department released excerpts from the body camera footage recorded by the involved officers. The union that represents South Adams County Fire Department firefighters released the following statement in response:
"Our partners at CCPD have released the body cam video of the accident involving two of our firefighters. The Professional Firefighters of South Adams County, IAFF Local 5124 will not be sharing or condoning the publicizing of that footage. Viewers may find it disturbing and we urge discretion. We are concerned with taking care of our members and ensuring their full recovery. If you feel you are in need of support please reach out to a Peer Support member of Local 5124 or contact the IAFF Center of Excellence at (855) 900-8437"
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