FATAL ACCIDENT TAKES JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S LIFE
Colorado has already experienced a number of devastating winter storms and heavy snow during the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015. On January 3, 2015, blizzard like conditions impacted the entire state of Colorado. Roads were shut down across the cross state, from US HWY 287 near the Oklahoma border, all the way up to the Wyoming border in the north. As usual, the mountain communities and the communities along the foothills were probably the people most affected by the storm on this day.
US HWY 285, on the outskirts of Denver leading into the mountain towns of Conifer and Bailey, and then south to Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado. Steep grades with winding roads and high speed limits have led to this highway’s less than safe reputation. During the winter months, the chances of being in an accident rises substantially. January 3, 2015, was another tragic day in the history of US 285. In the afternoon around 2:30pm just outside of Conifer, there were several vehicles which lost control on the icy twists in that road, causing a multi-car pileup. Sargent Sean Renfro of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department was off-duty and heading home when he came upon the car accidents. Despite the fact that he could have radioed for on duty officers, and because he is a resident of the mountain communities nearby, he stopped to help. Sargent Renfro got the people from one of the wrecks in his truck so they could keep warm, and then began to assist Colorado State Patrol who had arrived on scene with traffic control, even though he was not on the clock and not being paid.
It was at this moment that another SUV came around the curve and lost control, spinning into oncoming traffic, striking Sargent Renfro and the already wrecked vehicles. Sargent Renfro died on the scene. Another officer from the Colorado State Patrol as well as a civilian were also injured when the SUV collided with previous crash.
Our condolences go out to the family of Sargent Renfro, and all of those injured in the accident on January 3, 2015. If you or anyone you know has been in an accident anywhere in Colorado or surrounding areas, please contact our office at 720-583-9150.
More information can be found regarding this accident on the following website: https://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27252646/conifer-at-least-two-people-badly-hurt-multi?source=infinite