The First Judicial District Attorney’s Office has charged a Colorado School of Mines professor with vehicular homicide in the death of Golden Police Officer Evan Dunn.

Stephen Geer, 43, was arrested at the scene Nov. 6 after he reportedly drove into the scene of a traffic accident along Highway 58, striking four people.

Dunn, whose funeral was Nov. 13, died at the scene. GPD Officer Bethany Grusing was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, but city officials have confirmed she’s been released and is recovering. Two civilians also sustained injuries, according to police reports, but their statuses were unknown.

Geer appeared out of custody at the Jefferson County Courthouse for a Nov. 14 hearing, where the DA’s Office formally filed five charges against him.

Along with vehicular homicide, a Class 3 felony, the DA’s Office also charged Geer with:

• Two counts of vehicular assault, a Class 4 felony, for injuring Grusing and a civilian;
• One count of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor, for injuring the other civilian;
• One count of driving under the influence, a misdemeanor.

Geer and his attorney have waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 35 days.

He’s next scheduled for a review hearing at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

On Nov. 7, Colorado School of Mines confirmed Geer as an employee. The university website lists him as a teaching assistant professor in mechanical engineering.

Mines officials shared that they grieve for the impacted Golden officers, their families, colleagues and community.

“We pray for the recovery of the injured officer,” Mines officials stated via email Nov. 7, “and we will look for ways to offer support during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Nov. 6 incident

According to the arrest affidavit filed against Geer, around 4:38 p.m. Nov. 6, Golden police officers responded to eastbound Highway 58 just east of Washington Avenue. They were investigating a crash between a Toyota Tacoma and a Subaru Crosstrek.

Amid slick and snowy conditions, the Toyota had reportedly lost control while the Subaru was trying to pass, hitting it, and both vehicles were now disabled near the median.

All involved vehicles were on the far-left side of Highway 58, according to the affidavit, with a Golden Police vehicle positioned behind the other two. All other traffic was moving to the right, away from the original crash scene.

The Subaru’s driver, the Toyota’s driver and her father, Dunn and Grusing were outside the vehicles getting photos and evaluating the scene around 4:53 p.m. when a black Mazda traveling eastbound entered the area.

The Mazda reportedly hit the Toyota and then the Subaru, pinning Dunn under the latter. He died from his injuries at the scene.

According to the affidavit, Grusing and the Toyota’s driver also sustained serious injuries, with the latter suffering a skull fracture and brain bleed. Her father, who was thrown over the jersey barrier, also sustained a large laceration to his head and elbow, the affidavit describes.

The Subaru’s driver was uninjured, as was a third GPD officer who was in the patrol vehicle behind the initial accident scene.

Shortly after the crash, authorities identified Geer as the Mazda’s driver. He reportedly told state troopers at the scene he’d been driving home after having a beer at a local bar with a coworker.

He told troopers he’d noticed “yellow flashing lights and attempted to stop,” but wasn’t able to, the affidavit describes.

Investigators detected alcohol on Geer’s breath, the affidavit continues, and he initially agreed to voluntary roadside sobriety tests. However, after he was informed of his Miranda rights around 6:06 p.m., he refused to talk further or complete the sobriety tests.

After receiving a search warrant, investigating troopers completed a blood draw around 8:46 p.m. at the Jeffco jail, the affidavit continues.

It also states that Geer has no previous criminal history.

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