Lakewood, CO : Green Mountain Reservoir site of weekend motorcycle crash on Sunday, July 20, 2014

A Kremmling man is in critical condition at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood after crashing his motorcycle Sunday, July 20, into Green Mountain Reservoir.

Jeremiah Berry, 38, was reportedly driving his 2013 Harley Davidson southbound on Colorado Highway 9 towards Silverthorne at about 5 p.m. when he collided with a delineator post near milepost 126 on the north end of Green Mountain Reservoir, said trooper Nate Reid, public information officer for the Colorado State Patrol. The motorcycle then drove off the right side of the highway and down an embankment before striking some oak brush, which forced the motorcycle to roll two times over the front end.

Berry was ejected from the motorcycle over the handlebars during the rollover, Reid said. Berry and the motorcycle both came to rest in Green Mountain Reservoir.

Berry was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. He was reportedly speeding and passing other vehicles in an unsafe manner, according to a state patrol news release. Upon further investigation, troopers discovered Berry does not have a motorcycle license and was riding the motorcycle for the first time. Driver inexperience, speeding, alcohol and drugs are all considered contributing factors to the crash, the release stated.

Steve Lipsher, public information officer for the Lake Dillon Fire Protection District, said one Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue engine and a battalion chief were dispatched to the scene. According to notes relayed by Summit County Dispatch, an off-duty Colorado State Patrol trooper, a critical care nurse and other medical personnel were the first to respond to the scene.

When Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue firefighters arrived, the lower half of the man’s body was still in the water. The man was conscious and breathing, according to reports.

Firefighters took over patient care and then used ropes to move the man up the steep embankment to the highway, reports stated. Colorado Highway 9 was closed in both directions shortly after to allow a Flight for Life helicopter to land and transport the man to Lakewood.

Joining the Colorado State Patrol and Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue in responding to the scene were the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Summit County Ambulance, the Kremmling Fire Protection District and the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Ski Country Shell removed the motorcycle from the scene.

Source :
Green Mountain Reservoir site of weekend motorcycle crash