Norwood teen killed in crash

NORWOOD — The state patrol said it’s a common enough stunt at the intersection of 43Z Road and Highway 145: Young drivers are known to speed up for a little bit of lift where the highway’s elevation crowns.

But on Sunday, it possibly contributed to the death 19-year-old Aaron Grammer of Norwood and serious injuries sustained by two others, all of whom were ejected from their car, which rolled after its suspension collapse.

Grammer and Natalie Petersen, also 19, were riding in a 2000 Chevy Cavalier driven by Christian Kelley, 20. The Colorado State Patrol alleges Kelley ran the stop sign on 43 ZS Road and Highway 145 at a high rate of speed close to 3 a.m. Sunday.

At that spot, the highway’s elevation is around a foot higher than the road, and 43 ZN Road on the other side of the highway. The Cavalier’s undercarriage smashed down onto the road, compressing its suspension and tearing a gouge in the pavement.

The vehicle then yawed off the left side of the road and went partly into a dry irrigation ditch before striking a wire fence and launching airborne.

It landed on its wheels, then spun counterclockwise for a quarter-turn before tipping, rolling more than two times and again spinning counterclockwise to eject Grammer, Kelley and Petersen.

Grammer was pronounced dead at the Norwood Medical Clinic, while Petersen had to be flown to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. Kelley was taken to Montrose Memorial Hospital. Both he and Petersen were reported with serious injuries.

Monday, Petersen was listed in serious condition; information on Kelley’s condition was not immediately available.

The CSP’s initial investigation indicated none of the occupants were wearing seat belts. Alcohol could also be a factor, CSP Cpt. Clark Bates said.

“We are suspecting high speed and are investigating the possibility alcohol may be involved,” he said. “It’s a serious crash.”

Responding CSP Trooper Don Brown said young people in the Norwood area are known to try to bounce off the highway bump “all the time.”

Charges are pending the completion of the CSP’s investigation.