Family of man killed in 3-vehicle crash: 'He put others before himself'

NORTHGLENN – The family of a Thornton man killed Tuesday after a driver, running from police ran a red light, says he was a "dedicated man who only wanted the best for his family."

Aurora police say Brian Gleason, 49, was killed when Antwan Gatlin, 27, ran a red light at the intersection of Smith and Chambers Roads. Police say Gatlin T-boned Gleason's minivan.

"One day I was talking to him at a swim meet and now he's not there," Gleason family friend Lisa Kowalik said Friday.

According to Kowalik, Gleason was married to Sue Gleason for 24 years. He also leaves behind three children, an adult daughter, Beth, a son, Daniel, who is about to be a sophomore in high school, and daughter Mollee, who is entering the 7th grade.

Kowalik read a statement compiled from the family's remarks.

"He was a teacher to many and wholeheartedly supported Sue's desire to obtain her teaching degree," she said.

Kowalik says the Illinois native loved to go camping, was intelligent and had a great sense of humor.

"Brian always put others before himself and the family takes solace in the fact that he would rather have the tragedy take his life than the life of a young family or child," Kowalik said.

H.G. Makelim Co., where Gleason had worked since 2005, has set up a memorial fund. Click here for information about the fund.

Police say Gatlin will likely face several charges from the accident, including vehicular homicide.

Gatlin's girlfriend had called 911 before the accident, saying she had had a verbal argument with her boyfriend and that he was sitting in his car with a gun in front of her apartment in the 15500 block of E. 12th Avenue.

As police officers were approaching the car, authorities say Gatlin sped away. Officers followed him for about five minutes but say they did not chase him.

Police also say they found drugs in his car and recovered a gun at the scene of the traffic accident, both of which are against the terms of his parole.