Authorities in a western Colorado town are clarifying the circumstances in which an 18-year-old high school senior .
The Rifle Police Department says Kyle Scholla was not standing on the vehicle when he fell in what originally was characterized as a “car surfing” incident.
Instead, police say Scholla — a football player — was sitting on the vehicle.
“This was a spur of the moment act, and not something that was preplanned,” police said in a news release. “It all happened very quickly.”
Police say they wanted to clarify the incident to “dispel some rumors that might be out there.”
Police Chief John Dyer in Rifle that Scholla was not “thrill-seeking.” He admitted to probably using the car surfing term “a little loosely.”
Scholla’s death has made national headlines — from to the — as being part of a trend of thrill-seekers being hurt in car surfing accidents across the nation.
Scholla was riding on the hood of a moving vehicle driven by a 17-year-old boy when he fell. The accident happened April 1 in a Walmart parking lot, according to Rifle police.
Investigators say the two teens knew each other well. The driver’s name hasn’t been released.
Garfield County Coroner Rob Glassmire said Tuesday that Scholla’s death was an accident caused by injuries he suffered in a fall. Scholla was flown to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, where he died Saturday.
The teen driver initially was cited with careless driving resulting in injury, but that charge has been dismissed.
“It doesn’t apply anymore,” said 9th Judicial District Attorney Sherry Caloia, who said she plans to talk with the victim’s family and police to determine what charges will be appropriate.
“I’m going to give it a couple of weeks because I understand the family is quite upset at this point,” she said. “I want to give them some time to process this whole thing.”
Police say there was no evidence of any alcohol or drug involvement in the incident.
Scholla played football at Rifle High School where he was a senior, according to the team’s Facebook page.
“Although his body passed away, his big smile and spirit lives on forever,” his parents posted. “As a parent, it’s wonderful to watch your child grow and become a good person. So, go hug and tell your children/family/friends you love them every day. For you never know how long the journey of life will be.”
