Colorado State Patrol personnel are seeking information regarding a fatal early morning hit-and-run that occurred on U.S. 160 near Trails Boulevard on Oct. 17.
While CSP was able to identify the victim of the incident — a 36-year-old Pagosa Springs man, Jeremy Metz — thanks to tips from the public, the agency has not yet identified the vehicle involved.
Specifically, CSP Trooper Jonathan Silver said the agency is looking to hear from a few specific people: the person or persons who gave Metz a ride from the Bear Creek Saloon and Grill that night, and anyone who passed through the area of U.S. 160 and Trails Boulevard between 12:56 a.m. and 1:06 a.m. on Oct. 17, especially those who may believe they hit a deer or other animal.
According to Silver, Metz’s autopsy revealed he was laying face up on U.S. 160 at Trails Boulevard (near mile marker 138), with his feet facing the fog line, when he was run over and killed by a vehicle traveling east on the highway.
Silver said Metz was last seen at Bear Creek at about 12:38, then received a ride to the area where he was hit, which was close to his residence.
The incident was reported shortly after 1 a.m. by passersby who saw a man’s body in the roadway, Silver said. The two factors led the CSP to narrow down the event to the 10-minute window noted above.
Metz was reportedly wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident and was not identified until the following day.
The autopsy confirmed that Metz had alcohol in his system at the time of his death, Silver said, adding that additional toxicology test results are pending.
Silver said the agency believes a larger-profile vehicle was involved, such as a pickup truck or SUV that has higher ground clearance.
The possible vehicle type, paired with the time of night the incident occurred, leads Silver to believe that the vehicle may have been driven by a local person who is now afraid to come forward.
Silver, however, acknowledged the possibility that someone simply passing through town could have been involved.
Silver suggested that someone may know they hit something that night, but did not know what and assumed it was a deer or other animal.
Anyone with information about the vehicle involved is asked to call CSP Dispatch at 247-4392.
