Two drivers involved in crashes on Friday night that injured Olga Snowberger, wife of Durango School Superintendent Dan Snowberger, have been cited by the Colorado State Patrol.
Trooper Jeff Chmielewski said Louis Norton, 81, of Bayfield was cited for careless driving causing bodily injury.
A 17-year-old boy from Silverton was charged with violating restrictions on an instruction permit, careless driving and failure to present proof of insurance.
About 10:30 p.m., the Snowbergers stopped their Jeep SUV at mile marker 92 on U.S. Highway 160, about one mile east of Elmore’s Corner. They were behind a vehicle that stopped to allow someone to clear a deer from the highway.
The juvenile in the Honda then rear-ended the Snowbergers’ Jeep SUV.
Norton’s Buick then came from behind and side-swiped both the Honda and the Jeep.
Olga Snowberger, who was outside the Jeep, was hit by one of the vehicles, but Chmielewski was unsure if the Buick, Honda or Jeep hit her. It is possible one of the two stopped cars was nudged by the Buick which then hit her, the trooper said.
Olga Snowberger suffered multiple pelvis fractures and severe bruising and was flown to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood for medical care.
Dan Snowberger has taken an extended medical leave from the school district to help his wife recover.
9-R Deputy Superintendent Andrew Burns will temporarily lead the district until Snowberger’s return.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
