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‘Miracle’ Colorado worker loses both legs in wood chipper freak accident on first day on job

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‘Miracle’ Colorado worker loses both legs in wood chipper freak accident on first day on job


A Colorado tree worker miraculously survived a freak accident with a wood chipper that left him losing both legs minutes into his first day on the job.

John O’Neill, 33, fitted with a court-ordered ankle monitor, was throwing tree branches into the machine when one caught the tracking device and dragged him into the chipper, according to the Denver Post.

O’Neill, who had battled addiction and is now sober and excited about his new job, had both legs amputated above his knee following the life-altering accident at 10:18 a.m. on Sept. 24.

“It’s beyond a miracle that John is still with us, and he’s fighting harder than ever,” O’Neill’s friend George Safir wrote on GoFundMe. “Our friend has always been pretty reckless and living life on the edge! All while doing so, being a warrior in life.”

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John O’Neill suffered a freak accident during his first day of work that left him with both of his legs amputated on Sept. 24, 2024. Gofundme

Only 15 minutes into the workday in Longmont, O’Neill grabbed a fish hook-shaped branch and threw it into the machine.

The end of the branch caught onto O’Neil’s ankle monitor and dragged his leg into the spinning blades where it began cutting into his toes, foot, ankle and legs.

None of O’Neill’s coworkers immediately heard his cries for help as they were all wearing ear protection.

“It took a minute before my coworkers realized what was happening,” O’Neill told the outlet.

O’Neill with his family after he was flown to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood. Gofundme

As the machine continued to eat into him, O’Neill began believing his time was ending.

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“Something happened in my brain to where I realized I was in fear for a lot more than just losing my leg or my foot,” O’Neill said.

“The pain was very — it was not there almost,” he recalled. “I didn’t really feel the pain as much as I knew I was in trouble. It went from a fight for my limb to a fight for my life, very fast.”

O’Neill described the accident as “something that looked like what you see in movies,” as he saw skin, bones, muscle and a lot of blood coming out of his legs.

O’Neill, who had battled addiction is now sober and was excited about his new job. Garrett W Safir / Facebook

O’Neill said remained as calm as possible to keep his heart rate down.

“I didn’t freak out, I did stay calm,” O’Neill said. “My coworker said I was very cognitive throughout the whole thing.”

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A coworker pulled him out as the blade reached his midthighs and O’Neill grabbed a nearby rope for a makeshift tourniquet.

He faded in and out of consciousness but credits his coworkers for keeping him alive using sternum rubs.

Police arrived at the scene and secured actual tourniquets on the remainder of O’Neill’s legs before he was rushed to a local hospital where he was flown to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, just outside of Denver.

During the helicopter ride, O’Neill “technically died,” he told the outlet, saying his heart stopped.

He “firmly believes” the ankle monitor design is why he couldn’t free himself from the wood chipper.

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Doctors amputated the remainder of O’Neill’s mangled legs and needed to give him 15 pints of blood.

“They essentially replaced all the blood in my body,” he said.

Among the many people and organizations O’Neill has reconnected with during his hospitalization is “the Phoniex,” the non-profit that creates “sober events and activities” to help those battling addiction. Garrett W Safir / Facebook

When he woke up in his hospital room the next day, O’Neill called his mother who was left “in such a panic” she had to be admitted into the hospital for three days, according to the Denver Post.

Among the many people and organizations O’Neill has reconnected with during his hospitalization is “the Phoniex,” the non-profit that creates “sober events and activities” to help those battling addiction.

With the non-profit, O’Neill looks to continue his volunteer work where he will lead rock climbing and CrossFit events with the help of adaptive specialists.

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“This is uncharted territory and I can’t wait to dive into it because I feel like life is going to be more exciting. I’ve always enjoyed a challenge,” he said.

With the non-profit, O’Neill looks to continue his volunteer work where he will lead rock climbing and CrossFit events with the help of adaptive specialists. Garrett W Safir / Facebook

O’Neill is “crushing his recovery faster than anyone,” Safir said. “John has very high spirits and is ready to get back to some rock climbing.”



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Former Colorado police officer charged in connection with chokehold, lying about traffic stop

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Former Colorado police officer charged in connection with chokehold, lying about traffic stop


Prosecutors charged a former Englewood police officer on Tuesday for his alleged actions during a traffic stop south of Denver last month, where he’s accused of shocking a man with a taser, putting him in a chokehold, and lying about the interaction.

Former Englewood Police Officer Ryan Scott Vasina was charged with second-degree assault, a felony, first-degree official misconduct, and third-degree assault, both misdemeanors, in connection with an Oct. 8 traffic stop near West Union Avenue and South Broadway.

Vasina radioed that the 20-year-old man he stopped for allegedly running a stop sign and who didn’t speak English, was physically resisting and fighting with him. A review of his body-worn camera footage by CBS News Colorado and investigators showed that to be false. Vasina still tased the man and pulled him out of his car.

“It is evident from the video footage of the interaction between Officer Vasina and the driver that a language barrier existed, and that Vasina responded with visible frustration and anger,” Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley said in a statement on Tuesday. “The initial nexus of the stop was a car driving by Vasina that changed lanes in a way that appeared ‘suspicious’ to Vasina. The penalty for failing to stop at a stop sign or even refusing to provide identification does not warrant a use of force response that Vasina engaged in, particularly where there was no active resistance, threatening language, furtive movements or attempts to flee or evade.”

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The man he stopped was not identified by officials, but he spoke Spanish throughout the interaction. Vasina speaks in some Spanish, asking the man for his license, and the man replies, “porque,” the Spanish word for “why?” He appeared compliant otherwise, turning off his car when Vasina told him to. Vasina repeatedly says “let me see your f*****g hands” multiple times and the man’s hands are raised, with just his phone in one hand.

After Vasina tases him, pulls him out of the car, and throws him on the ground, the bodycam footage goes black for a few seconds, indicating it was up against the man’s back and Vasina’s actions during those few seconds can’t be seen from that angle, but dashboard camera footage from Vasina’s patrol car shows the officer on top of the man.

The man then says in broken English, “I don’t know what you say,” and “translator please.”

Moments later, the man repeatedly says, “my neck,” and then “water for me, please.” Vasina replies, “not right now.”

As Vasina starts patting the man down, he says “no pistola, I am good boy.”

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Vasina was fired by the department in October, his actions condemned by his former chief.

“The former officer’s conduct does not reflect the values of the Englewood Police Department,” Englewood Police Chief David Jackson said in a statement. “Our officers are expected to serve with professionalism, respect, and restraint. We are committed to transparency in addressing any incident that falls short of those expectations.” Information contained in this release is publicly available in the Arrest Warrant. All public records can be requested and obtained via the Courts. As a reminder, all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted of any of the three charges, Vasina would lose the ability to serve as a law enforcement officer in Colorado, per state law.



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The Best Thing Deion Sanders Could Do For Quarterback Julian Lewis

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The Best Thing Deion Sanders Could Do For Quarterback Julian Lewis


Coach Deion Sanders has another busy offseason ahead as he looks to correct the current mess his Colorado Buffaloes find themselves in.

Because Colorado’s offense has taken a sizable step back this season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see “Coach Prime” move on from offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur either this month or next. If that comes to fruition, DNVR’s Scott Procter believes finding a new offensive coordinator who can grow alongside freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis will become Colorado’s top priority this offseason.

“This offseason, that has to be priority No. 1, getting a creative OC — young, old, experienced, inexperienced, but a creative OC who can gel and grow with Julian Lewis,” Procter said on the DNVR Buffs Podcast. “As talented as anybody is, you need coaching, you need help, you need to be prepared, you need to be put in ideal situations game-to-game, down-to-down, and that hasn’t been the case for this offense this year.”

Most Important Area Deion Sanders Must Address Colorado Offseason Buffaloes Pat Shurmur Julian Lewis Offensive Coordinator CU

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Shurmur also serves as Colorado’s quarterbacks coach, making his day-to-day perhaps more complicated than necessary. To help Lewis’ development, Procter believes that “Coach Prime” would be wise to instead hire two separate people for the roles of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

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“When people mention the quarterbacks coach, add that to the list as well,” Procter said. “And do not make it be, this is gonna be our OC and quarterbacks (coach). No, that has to be two different positions to help this young guy (Lewis) develop the way you want him and need him to, to kind of save this program from where it has gone the last couple of weeks, so that’s my biggest thing.”

Most Important Area Deion Sanders Must Address Colorado Offseason Buffaloes Pat Shurmur Julian Lewis Offensive Coordinator CU

Sep 27, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Procter added that “Coach Prime” will likely make changes to his staff once the regular season is complete. The 3-6 Buffs have only three games remaining and would have to win all three to qualify for a bowl game.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be changes to that coaching staff over the next month before the season ends, but this offseason, that decision has to be made with Julian Lewis in mind,” Procter said.

MORE: Freshman Cornerback Leaves Colorado Buffaloes Midway Through Season

MORE: Shedeur Sanders Makes Surprise Return to Boulder For Colorado Homecoming Game

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MORE: Biggest Winners And Losers From Colorado’s Embarrassing Loss To Arizona

Most Important Area Deion Sanders Must Address Colorado Offseason Buffaloes Pat Shurmur Julian Lewis Offensive Coordinator CU

Aug 29, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) before the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported Sunday that Lewis is expected to receive his first career start on Saturday against the West Virginia Mountaineers. While Shurmur remains Colorado’s offensive coordinator, the 18-year-old true freshman has a valuable opportunity ahead this weekend in Morgantown.

In relief of Kaidon Salter and Ryan Staub, Lewis threw for 121 yards and one touchdown in the second half of Saturday’s loss to the Arizona Wildcats. The former five-star prospect now has an entire week to prepare for West Virginia’s defense, which has allowed 406.4 yards per game (14th in Big 12).

Lewis’ first career start will kick off at 10 a.m. MT on TNT (simulcast on HBO Max).



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Family says

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Family says


Officials have released new details of their investigation into a small plane crash that killed two men in Erie, Colorado, a crash that family members say was caused by sudden wind shear.

The Erie Police Department said that the plane went down just east of the runway at the Erie Municipal Airport on the afternoon of Oct. 19. Both people aboard the ultralight VL-3 aircraft, Niles Tilenius of San Mateo County, Cali. and William Johnston of Hillsborough County, Fla., were killed.

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Erie Police Department


The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation into the crash and released the preliminary results on Monday.

According to the NTSB, multiple people witnessed the airplane approaching runway 34, but it didn’t land. Instead, they say it leveled off and then started to climb in a go-around maneuver. But witnesses at the airport and in the surrounding area say that’s when the airplane flipped and then spun to the ground.

Investigators say surveillance camera footage showed the airplane in a nose-low spin before impact.

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The crash crushed the landing gear and the forward fuselage of the aircraft, the empennage separated from the fuselage, and both wings partially separated at the wing root, said the NTSB. They reported that the GRS Rescue system, an airframe parachute, did not deploy.

Tilenius’s family said he was an experienced flight instructor working with Odyssey Pilot Hours in Erie and was piloting the aircraft with his student, Johnston, at the time of the crash. In his obituary, his family said the crash was caused by “fierce, sudden, unexpected wind shear overwhelming their small plane close to the runway.” 



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