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Off-duty Greeley firefighter killed in hit-and-run crash while on his way to work

Steve Kuzik was on his way to work on a motorcycle when he was hit head-on by an SUV.

GREELEY, Colo. — A Greeley firefighter was hit and killed while he was riding to work on his motorcycle Thursday morning, according to a Facebook post from the Greeley Police Department.

Steve Kuzik had been a Greeley Firefighter for 21 years. He joined the department on March 23, 1998. 

Before joining the Greeley Fire Department, he was a reserve and volunteer firefighter with Western Hills Fire District, a small district that contracts with the City of Greeley. 

Kuzik was in charge of the department's Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), maintaining the equipment for everyone in the department. 

The Greeley Fire Department awarded him Firefighter of the Year two years ago.

Janice Perekrestenko, senior administrative specialist for the department said Kuzik was "a great mentor for younger firefighters." He was currently serving on Ladder 1 at Greeley Station 1.

The Greeley Fire Department  Facebook post says Kuzik was riding eastbound on 5th Street in Greeley around 6:30 a.m. Thursday. 

Cody Shane Boetger was driving an SUV westbound when he veered into the eastbound lanes, according to the post, striking Kuzik head-on. 

Police said Boetger fled the scene. 

Credit: Weld Co. jail
Cody Boetger mug

Police officers and firefighters responded to 5th Street and 14th Avenue and found Kuzik in the street, unconscious. He was brought to the North Colorado Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, the post says. 

Police caught up with Boetger near Weld County Road 37 and AA Street and he was taken into custody. The post says the car he was driving when he was arrested had "heavy, fresh damage to the front end."

He is being held on charges including hit and run resulting in a fatality. 

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