A veteran Greeley Firefighter was killed in an accident on his way to work on Thursday morning, according to a Greeley Police Department release.

Steven Michael Kuzik, a 21-year-member of the Greeley Fire Department, was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m. after he was hit by an SUV suburban around 6:30 a.m. while riding a motorcycle.

The driver of the SUV suburban, Cody Shane Boetger, initially fled the scene but was later apprehended by authorities. He's charged with a felony hit and run resulting in a fatality, a misdemeanor driving under denial and a traffic infraction for driving on the wrong side of the road.

 

Greeley Police allege that Boetger was driving westbound on Fifth Street when he veered into the eastbound lanes and collided with Kuzik. Boetger then fled the scene and continued westbound after the collision. Kuzik was unconscious when emergency authorities arrived on the scene.

Authorities eventually contacted Boetger near Weld County Road 37 and AA Street. He was taken into custody and his damaged SUV suburban was impounded.

The investigation of the accident remains open.

Kuzik was previously awarded the Firefighter of the Year for the Greeley Fire Department two years ago, according to the Greeley Police press release.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law. An arrest is merely an accusation by law enforcement.

 

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