Troopers blanketed the state over the long Memorial Day weekend, stopping more than 30,000 vehicles and writing more than 15,500 tickets.
The Colorado State Patrol reported that not only did the sweep slow traffic, it also scoured roadways of felons and stolen cars.
After checking 26,472 driver’s licenses, troopers made 69 felony arrests, recovered 12 stolen vehicles and arrested 298 drivers for suspected drunken driving.
A total of 6,651 drivers were ticketed for speeding; 3,033 motorists were cited for not wearing seat belts; 856 drivers were cited for not having proof of insurance; and 317 were cited for having children not properly restrained. A total of 24 drivers were cited for driving on the wrong side of the road.
Troopers also reported that seven people died on the roads over the long weekend.
In one of the accidents early Sunday, a 1998 Ford Expedition ran a stop sign on Weld County Road 16 and was broadsided by a Cadillac Escalade traveling on U.S. 85, the State Patrol said.
An unidentified occupant of the Expedition was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Four other occupants in both cars were treated for minor to moderate injuries.
Alcohol was considered a factor in the crash, troopers said.
