Update on the Officer Involved Fatal Traffic Crash

The names of the persons involved in the fatal crash on Tutt Blvd and Barnes Road on July 13, 2009 can now be released.

The 2008 Harley Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle operator/rider was 34 year old Michael Builta.  Officer Builta has been a member of the CSPD since January of 2005.  He was assigned to the Sand Creek Division as a Patrol Officer on the Midnight Shift.  A photo of Officer Builta accompanies this release.  The El Paso County Coroner has ruled the cause of Officers Builta’s death as multiple head trauma injuries.

The driver of the 2000 Chevrolet Venture Mini-Van is Pei C. Lo, Age 36, of Colorado Springs.  As was previously reported, she was uninjured in the crash.  The passenger in the van is Ms. Lo’s 11 year old daughter.  It was previously reported in error that she is 10 years old.  She remains at Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and is listed in stable condition.  She is expected to recover from her injuries.

This was the 10^th traffic crash fatality in 2009.  Of those, five (5) have been motorcycle riders/passengers.   At this time last year, there were 13 traffic crash fatalities.  Of those, two (2) were motorcycle riders/passengers.

There is no evidence of impaired driving on the part of either driver/operator in the crash.  Neither weather nor roadway conditions were a factor in the crash. As was previously reported, Officer Builta was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. For informational purposes, the intersection of Tutt Blvd and Barnes Road is listed 23^rd on the Top 25 Accident locations in Colorado Springs during 2008.  Although that list was previously released, it accompanies this update.  No further information is available about the investigation and the accident sequence at this time.

As is the standard practice in fatality accidents in the city of Colorado Springs, Detectives and members of the CSPD Major Accident Unit are conducting the investigation in conjunction with investigators from the Fourth Judicial District Attorneys Office.  At this time, no citations have been issued and the investigation is on-going.

Regarding the recent events that have involved members of the CSPD, Chief Richard Myers stated: “The tragic death of Officer Michael Builta has had a profound effect on many of his co-workers here at CSPD.  In a two month period, we have endured two officers’ untimely deaths to traffic crashes off duty, and almost lost a third to a horrendous on-duty crash.  CSPD is, in many respects, like a large extended family, we often spend more time with our colleagues than we do with our own families.  In a profession where we risk it all to keep the community safe, relationships run deep.  We ask for the understanding, support, and compassion from our community as we struggle to cope with these losses, and to join us in holding the Builta family in our thoughts and prayers.”