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Boulder County deputy charged with felony vehicular assault

Daniel Pratt crashed into a car while responding to a fight at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in August, seriously injuring two people, the sheriff's office said.

BOULDER, Colo. — Boulder County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) said Monday a deputy is being charged with two counts of felony vehicular assault in connection to an August crash.

Around 9:40 p.m. on Aug. 12, Deputy Daniel Pratt, 45, was responding to a request for backup at the Boulder County Fairgrounds after a fight involving dozens of people, according to the sheriff's office. There was also a report of a stabbing that turned out to not be true.

Pratt, who has been with the sheriff's office since 2015, was going northeast on Highway 119 with his lights and siren activated when he hit a car going east on Niwot Road, the sheriff's office said.

According to a crash report from Colorado State Patrol, Pratt had his emergency lights on when he entered the intersection at a red light. That is when he hit the passenger side of the other car. 

Two people in the car, a 67-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. 

CSP estimated Pratt was driving 75 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone at the time of the crash. 

Pratt and his K9 partner were evaluated and released without injuries. 

The Boulder County District Attorney's Office and CSP investigated the crash, which included a crash reconstruction analysis.

Investigators looked at the speed of the vehicles, the right of way, the red traffic light, the observations of eyewitnesses, the sheriff’s office policy for activating lights and sirens and the policy for approaching a red traffic light while running emergent. 

CSP issued the felony charges based on speed, the traffic signals at the intersection and eyewitness observations, according to a release from the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office said Pratt is on administrative leave without pay pending the conclusion of his criminal case. An internal investigation into the crash is also ongoing.

“I appreciate the thorough investigation by the Colorado State Patrol," District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. "This crash was incredibly scary, and the victims were seriously injured.”

Pratt's next court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday.   

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