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Steamboat grads recovering after serious crash

Matt Stensland
Steamboat Pilot & Today
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— The parents of Steamboat Springs High School graduates who were seriously injured after being involved in a crash Saturday in Lakewood said it is a miracle everyone survived.

The four youth were in a Subaru WRX STI, which was completely destroyed when it was hit by another car at the intersection of Wadsworth and Yale. They were on their way to see a GRiZ show at Red Rocks Amphitheater.

The accident is still under investigation, and 9 News in Denver aired video from the crash site.



Hunter Burton, 22, and Caroline Wilson, 19, were the most seriously injured, but they are expected to recover. They were seated in the front and back seats of the passenger side of the car, which wrapped around a traffic light pole.

Burton’s mother, Tammi Strickland, said her son was in the intensive care unit at St. Anthony Hospital, but his vital signs were good.



Burton suffered multiple fractures. His lung, kidney and liver were damaged, and Burton’s spleen had to be removed.

Strickland said that fortunately, Burton did not have any head injuries, and he is in good spirits. After waking up from a nap recently, Burton asked Strickland “am I still here?”

“He’s a funny kid,” Strickland said. “He asked if we were going to his grandmother’s for dinner.”

Friends and family can get updates on Burton at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hunterburton.

Wilson’s mother, Debbie Wilson, a digital advertising consultant with Steamboat Digital, a division of Steamboat Today, said she was thankful to learn that neither drugs nor alcohol were suspected as contributing to the crash.

She said her daughter had a broken tibia, ribs and a shattered ankle. Her lung was partially collapsed, and her liver was lacerated.

“At the end of the day, it’s going to be a long recovery, but I think they’ll be OK,” Wilson said.

Caroline Wilson spoke briefly on the phone Wednesday from Denver Health Medical Center.

“I’ve definitely been better,” she said. “I’m definitely feeling a little better every day.”

Caroline Wilson said she was thankful for all the support she has gotten, which included her friends at Freshies sending her a cinnamon roll and a lot of food.

Debbie Wilson said Devin Scanlon, 20, was driving the car. He was treated at the emergency room for minor injuries.

Riley Hutchinson, 18, was released from Denver Health on Tuesday after being treated for a broken femur.

“It’s really a miracle that any of them are alive today,” Debbie Wilson said.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland


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