JEFFERSON COUNTY — A young Central City boy was critically injured in a head-on crash in Clear Creek Canyon on Wednesday afternoon and was airlifted to Children’s Hospital, the Colorado State Patrol said.
The boy’s mother, Shana Kelly, 22, and his father, Dale Dunkle, 21, were taken to a Denver-area hospital. Neither Kelly nor Dunkle was wearing a seat belt. Their son, Gage Dunkle, 1, was not restrained either, Trooper Gilbert Mares said.
Dale Dunkle’s injuries appeared to be minor, but Kelly appeared to be in serious condition, Mares said.
The crash happened about 3 p.m. when a Chrysler Pacifica that was eastbound on U.S. 6 about 4 miles west of Golden crossed the center line and smashed into Kelly’s Plymouth Neon, Mares said.
The driver of the Pacifica, John J. Gillies, 42, of Aspen, suffered minor injuries that did not require hospital attention, Mares said.
Authorities believe inattentive driving was a contributing factor. Alcohol, drugs, speed, weather and road conditions did not appear to be factors, Mares said.
