Devon Knight apparently had fallen asleep at the wheel in the early- morning hours after his prom night, causing the crash that killed him and injured two others on East 104th Avenue in Adams County, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
An initial investigation of the crash site and the vehicle that the popular Horizon High School student was driving showed his vehicle drifted into a westbound Nissan Xterra early Sunday morning, said patrol Technician Trent Waters.
Alcohol, drug use and mechanical failure did not appear to be factors in the crash, Waters said.
“There is no indication of avoidance or braking,” Waters said. “The evidence is leading toward some kind of fatigue driving.”
Knight was driving a Pontiac Grand Prix about 7:12 a.m. Sunday eastbound on East 104th Avenue just west of Brighton Road when it crossed over double yellow lines and collided with the Nissan.
The 17-year-old Knight died as a result of the crash. His passenger – 17-year-old Tasheena Zorn – survived with moderate injuries. The driver of the Nissan, 23-year-old Jacob Nottage of Westminster, also suffered moderate injuries.
Knight had attended the Horizon High School prom and after-prom parties with Zorn, friends said. The two had gotten some breakfast, and Knight was taking Zorn home when the accident occurred.
A toxicology report on Knight may take weeks to complete, Waters said, adding that there is no evidence that drugs or alcohol played any role in the accident.
The excitement of prom and staying up all night could have taken a toll on Knight, said State Patrol spokesman Jeff Goodwin.
“You are up that long, you run the risk of falling asleep at the wheel,” Goodwin said.
The reaction time of someone driving while fatigued is similar to that of someone who is legally impaired, Goodwin said.
“A driver who is sleeping less is less likely to take corrective action before a crash,” he said.
Knight’s parents couldn’t be reached for comment.
Many schools and groups, including those at Horizon, sponsor parties to ensure there is no drinking after the prom. But some critics say the after-prom parties contribute to kids’ staying out too late and raise the risk of accidents.
Horizon parent Nancy Bunjes, whose son was Knight’s best friend, said after-prom parties keep promgoers safer than in years past when they went to beer bashes.
“These kids will stay out whether you want them to or not,” Bunjes said. “This is the biggest night of their lives.
“This,” she added, “is just a horrible, freak accident.”
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
