A 9-year-old boy died in a single-vehicle crash this weekend after his father, the driver, reached for a cellphone and lost control of the SUV, authorities said.
The fatal crash happened at about 8 a.m. Sunday in southeastern Colorado, said Trooper David Hall, a Colorado State Patrol spokesman.
Michael A. Richardson, 40, of Branson was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban north on Colorado 389 about 5 miles north of Branson when the SUV ran off the right side of the road, Hall said.
The Suburban hit a post, came back onto the highway and ran off the left side of the road, rolling once and coming to a stop in a ditch.
Christian Richardson, 9, was ejected from the Suburban and died at the scene, Hall said. He was not wearing a seat belt.
Michael Richardson, who also was not wearing a seat belt, suffered “moderate” injuries and was taken to Mount San Rafael Hospital in Trinidad, Hall said.
A 14-year-old in the SUV, who was buckled in, suffered serious injuries and was taken to St. Mary Corwin Hospital in Pueblo.
Details on their conditions were not available.
The Suburban was traveling at an “excessive” speed when the crash occurred, Hall said.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
