Driver in fatal crash headed to trial
The driver charged with vehicular homicide in a crash on Diagonal Highway that killed two people in October is set for trial at the end of the year.
Hunter Claycomb, 19, pleaded not guilty in Boulder District Court on Friday to two counts of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, speeding more than 40 mph over the limit and violation of bond.
Claycomb is now set for a five-day trial starting Dec. 13, with a motions hearing on Nov. 3.
He remains out of custody on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.
According to an arrest affidavit, Colorado State Patrol investigators determined Claycomb was at fault in a crash that killed Robert Melanson, 58, and Cindi Melanson, 57, both of Longmont.
Claycomb, who lived in Firestone at the time of the crash, was driving a BMW south on Diagonal Highway on Oct. 10 when he struck the Melansons’ truck as they were crossing Diagonal Highway while traveling east on Oxford Road.
The impact caused both vehicles to roll and then catch fire. Robert Melanson was declared dead on scene, while Cindi Melanson was taken to Good Samaritan Medical Center, where she died of her injuries.
Claycomb was able to get out of his car and suffered only minor injuries.
Initial reports from state patrol noted that Claycomb did not appear intoxicated and would have technically had the right of way with the Melansons
at a stop sign on Oxford Road.
However, according to the affidavit, investigators did a crash reconstruction and determined Claycomb was driving at about 107 mph in a 65 mph zone.
The crash reconstruction determined that the Melansons did stop at the stop sign and proceeded through the intersection when Claycomb was still 800 feet away.
Investigators determined Claycomb was only able to slow down to about 96 mph when he crashed into the Melanson’s truck. The crash reconstruction estimated the crash would have not occurred if Claycomb had been driving at even 90 mph.
Investigators also noted Claycomb was in the right lane but for some reason turned left to try and dodge the truck even though the truck was headed left. The crash reconstruction determined that even at his high rate of speed, Claycomb would have avoided the crash altogether if he had simply stayed in the right lane.