Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Drunk man killed in Garfield County, CO ATV crash, after he lost control, ejected and the ATV crushed him




By Jay Greene |
Posted: Mon 1:42 PM, Jul 04, 2016 |
Updated: Tue 6:39 PM, Jul 05, 2016

 
GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. (KJCT)-- A Fruita man was killed in an ATV crash in Garfield County over the Fourth of July weekend.

The Garfield County Coroner’s Office has identified the man as Jeremy Ventrello, 30, of Fruita.

Around 9 a.m. on Monday, Garfield County Sheriff's deputies and Colorado State Patrol were called to an ATV crash about 13 miles up County Road 243, north of New Castle.

Investigators believe the crash happened in the late hours of Sunday, and a passerby discovered the crash early Monday morning.

Deputies said the crash occurred when Ventrello was headed home after leaving camp. According to authorities, he lost control on a switchback and was ejected from the ATV, which came to rest on top of him.

The Coroner’s Office noted Ventrello was not wearing a seat belt or a helmet.

An autopsy showed Ventrello had a blood alcohol level of .225 percent, which is over two times the legal limit.

Ventrello’s co-workers with Diesel Performance have set up a gofundme account to raise money to help his family with the loss. The money is for final expenses, to pay off a car loan and the atv that was totaled in the accident. More information on the account.