Man Arrested for Vehicular Homicide and DUI in Crash that Killed CDOT Workers
A 59-year-old man has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence following a tragic crash on U.S. 6 near Palisade in September. The incident resulted in the deaths of two Colorado Department of Transportation workers and another passenger.
Patrick Sneddon faces nine felonies, including three counts of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence, three counts of vehicular homicide from reckless driving, and three counts of failing to yield the right of way to a stationary public service utility vehicle resulting in death.
Initially, investigators did not suspect impairment to be a factor in the crash. However, Sneddon now also faces a separate DUI misdemeanor and a reckless driving traffic charge.
The collision occurred on September 4 when a Jeep Grand Cherokee, allegedly driven by Sneddon, struck two CDOT employees who were working on a sign along U.S. 6. The Jeep then collided with a parked CDOT vehicle, causing it to roll.
The CDOT workers, Trent Umberger and Nate Jones, along with passenger Kathi Ann Wallace, lost their lives in the tragic accident. A Colorado State Patrol investigation confirmed that the CDOT workers were following proper safety protocols at the time of the crash.
Sneddon is currently in custody at Mesa County Jail with a $100,000 cash bail. His next court appearance has yet to be scheduled.
This is an ongoing investigation, and updates may follow.
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