Colorado Professor Stephen Geer Arrested in DUI Crash That Killed Officer Evan Dunn in Golden

GOLDEN, Colorado – A community mourns as details emerge of a tragic DUI crash in Golden, Colorado, which claimed the life of 33-year-old Golden Police Officer Evan Dunn and injured another officer. Stephen Geer, a 43-year-old mechanical engineering professor at the Colorado School of Mines, has been arrested and faces serious charges, including vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. The incident unfolded around 5 p.m. Wednesday on Colorado Highway 58 near Washington Avenue, amid snowy and dangerous road conditions.

Officer Dunn and his partner were responding to an earlier crash and had exited their vehicle to investigate the scene when Geer’s vehicle reportedly entered the crash zone. Authorities say Geer’s car struck another vehicle, pushing both officers under the original crashed car and trapping them beneath it. Officer Dunn died at the scene, while his injured colleague was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

Jefferson County Court Judge Thomas Vance informed Geer of the potential charges against him during a hearing on Thursday morning, setting his bond at $250,000. With no prior criminal history, Geer is well-regarded in the community, but he remains in custody unless bond is posted. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for November 14 as investigators work to determine the exact cause of the crash and assess all evidence.

Golden Police Chief Joe Harvey described Dunn, who served with the department and had a distinguished military background as a former Blackhawk helicopter pilot and commander, as “an incredible human being.” Dunn is survived by his wife, sister, and parents. His tragic death has left the Golden community grieving the loss of a dedicated public servant who committed his life to protecting others.

Geer reportedly told police he had consumed one 16-ounce beer at a nearby brewery before the collision, though the results of a blood alcohol test were not available during the hearing. His defense attorney, Lindsay Stone, argued that the crash may have been an unfortunate accident rather than a criminal act, suggesting that the poor weather conditions and lack of warning signs from the earlier crash contributed to the collision.

The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and Chief Harvey have both emphasized the difficult driving conditions on the day of the accident, with CSP calling Geer’s actions “unsafe on an already dangerous day.” The scene was reportedly secured with a police cruiser to alert oncoming drivers, but it appears this was not enough to prevent the crash. The other injured officer remains hospitalized, and no further details on their condition have been released.

The Temple Police Department encourages anyone with information regarding the crash to come forward. This incident serves as a reminder of the risks first responders face daily and has prompted renewed discussions on roadway safety and DUI awareness.