This Was Not an “Accident” - It Was a Crime

Hit-and-Run Driver Gets Maximum Sentence

Chuck Vogel was a well-respected leader and volunteer in his community. He was always looking out for others and working to make a difference. Chuck helped raise money to fight breast cancer, was a rotary member, and a mentor to many. He volunteered with the Parker Task Force, his local food bank, and served as President of his Metro District Board.  “That’s who he was,” said his wife, Teri Vogel. “He did not do any of these things to receive accolades, to be in the limelight, or for recognition.  It was the satisfaction of knowing he had somehow made a difference.” 

He had been retired for six years, and was relishing the additional time he had for biking, golfing, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. Teri had retired more recently and was looking forward to joining Chuck more frequently in these pursuits.

Chuck had a huge passion for life and his family.  He was Teri’s best friend and the love of her life. In addition, Chuck was going to be a grandfather for the first time, as his son, Bryan, and daughter-in-law, Lisa, were expecting their first child. Baby Charlie was due in just two short months.  

On July 4, 2019, Chuck headed out on a ride just as he did several times each week.  Teri believes that Chuck made a conscious decision that day to ride his bike on a holiday and early in the morning in unincorporated Douglas County. There would be fewer drivers rushing to work, less traffic, and not as many distracted drivers on the road. Chuck was two minutes into his bike ride, riding on Pine Drive near Parker Core Knowledge when a driver in a Kia Spectra hit Chuck from behind at 6:25 a.m. The driver fled the scene and Chuck was left to be found by a Good Samaritan who thought there was trash on the side of the road. This is something that Teri lives with every day. 

Teri was still asleep when she got a call from the Emergency Room at Parker Adventist Hospital asking her if Chuck was on a bike ride that morning and notifying her that Chuck was in the emergency room.  When she arrived at the hospital, he was being brought back from a CT scan and was already on life support. As an experienced ER nurse, Teri knew that the situation was dire when she met with doctors. Teri had to make the difficult call to her son, Bryan, who was living in Utah. Teri stated that Chuck and Bryan had a relationship like none other. They spoke to each other multiple times a week and both shared a love of bicycling. Bryan and Lisa, who was 32 weeks pregnant, drove to Colorado knowing that they were coming to say goodbye to Chuck.  

Chuck passed away the next day on July 5, 2019 as a result of his injuries. 

Police found the Kia in Parker on July 5, 2019, abandoned in the parking lot of nearby townhomes.  After a tireless investigation that involved multiple arms of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Preston Dorris was identified as a lead suspect.

Dorris had come to Colorado to buy drugs and was no stranger to law enforcement. He had led a life of crime in his 36 years and, at the time of the crash, had been convicted of 22 misdemeanors since 2003. His crimes included third-degree assault, theft, and two felonies including forgery and unauthorized use of a financial device.  He was found and arrested outside Alliance, Nebraska, on July 13 and was transported back to Colorado on July 16th. At the time of his arrest, Dorris was making plans to leave the country.   

Collaborative efforts between law enforcement in both Colorado and Nebraska, and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office had a major impact on the outcome of this case. Thanks to their tremendous efforts, justice was served. “From the very moment they got the call and came to the hospital, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was committed,” said Teri. This case was not only about bringing the driver to justice, it was about finding justice for a husband, father, friend and valued community member.

The Deputy Patrol Officer, who responded to the original 911 call and was on the scene the morning of July 4th, told Teri that he would not rest until he found the driver.  Crime Stoppers offered a reward for anyone with information about the case. Additional manpower was brought in to help with the case, as it was considered a major crime. “This was not an accident. It was a crime,” says Teri. “He had a blatant disregard for life. Dorris made a conscious choice that day, and continued to make the same choice day after day after day after day until he was found and arrested.” Teri expressed that everyone involved in law enforcement from the officers to the victim advocates did an exemplary job. “They were dedicated, committed, professional, and very responsive.” Throughout the investigation, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock, along with other detectives, personally visited Teri to give her and her family status updates.

Bryan contacted Hottman Law Office on the recommendation of a fellow cyclist who had met Megan in Albuquerque at a bike race. Our office took the case and worked quickly and diligently to support the Vogel family in the criminal case and to represent their interests in the civil matter. HLO staff stayed in the office late working with Teri in Colorado and Lisa in Utah via phone signing and sending documents back and forth on July 16, 2019, the day Dorris was transported back to Colorado. The next day, Megan met Teri in Douglas County at 8:30 a.m. to support her during the bail hearing. “The expertise, support, guidance, and counsel for maneuvering this process started then and continues to this day. It has been more than we ever could have anticipated,” said Teri.

Dorris pled guilty on February 25 to three charges. They included: 

1.    Leaving the scene of an accident involving death, a Class 3 felony

2.    Vehicular Homicide – Reckless driving A Class 4 felony

3.    Careless Driving – Vulnerable Road User, Serious Bodily Injury.

The sentencing hearing for Dorris took place on August 28, 2020 in Douglas County District Court. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the total number of people in the courtroom was limited, however, Teri, Bryan, Lisa, and baby Charlie were in attendance. In addition, numerous friends, community members, and mentees testified both in person and virtually to show how Chuck’s death had impacted their lives. At one point, over 100 people were present online to watch the hearing. Teri believes that the turnout made an impression on Judge Theresa Slade.

Chief Deputy District Attorney John Kellner asked for the maximum sentence of 18 years stating that Dorris never braked, slowed down, swerved, or turned back. He went on to say that Dorris was not speeding and could see 310 feet ahead.  “He stole the life from Chuck Vogel and deprived Mr. Vogel’s family and his community of many years of his contributions,” said Kellner.

“So much was taken from our family. We get no second chances.  The driver needed to be made accountable,” said Teri.

Judge Slade sentenced Dorris to the maximum of 18 years.  Surprisingly, this was the first time in Colorado history that a driver received the maximum sentence for hitting and killing a cyclist.

“The prison sentence of 18 years is the maximum sentence allowed by law for his offenses, so this was the best possible ruling,” wrote Teri in an email sent out after the sentencing hearing. “We are very fortunate to have had DAs that prosecuted for the highest sentence term and a Judge who actually sentenced him to the maximum term. Sadly, this has not been the case here in Colorado when it comes to hit and runs and cyclist injuries caused by motorists.  It is great that the Judge saw this for the crime it was, not an accident.  This sends a huge message and hopefully it not only sets a standard in the legal community, but lets motorists know that crimes against vulnerable road users will be taken seriously. If a motorist leaves the scene, they will be prosecuted fully for the crime.”

As part of his conviction, Dorris will be required to serve three years of parole after serving his sentence.  Typically, he would be eligible for parole when he has served half his sentence, but that is highly unlikely according to the Judge considering his extensive criminal history. 

“This sentence sends a message to everyone who drives — Motorists watching the news may see this (story) in passing and may hear that this gentleman just received the maximum...and that’s impactful. No one wants to do 18 years in the DOC... ”

— Megan Hottman

The Vogel family feels that there has been some resolution in knowing that the best possible outcome was achieved for the worst circumstances. 

Since Chuck’s death, Teri has been a champion of making cycling safer and increasing motorist awareness. “There has to be a greater good that comes from this. We have to move beyond this tragedy,” she said. At her husband’s ghost bike dedication in August of 2019, Teri reminded drivers that they need to look out for cyclists and pedestrians, and to stop driving distracted. Teri is determined to send a message to motorists that they will be held accountable and responsible for injuring or killing cyclists. She wants to see Colorado laws changed and has been a strong voice for those changes to take place. 

This year, Teri testified in favor of SB-061, the bike lane bill, in front of both the Colorado Senate and House Judiciary Committees. She has been advocating for “Share The Road” and “3-Foot Law” signs to be placed in Douglas County. Teri emphasized that she and her family will work with any organization to get the word out that changes have to take place to make cycling safer and increase motorist awareness.

Bicycle Colorado has set up a fund in Chuck’s memory. Funds will go towards making Colorado a safer place to ride. Bicycle Colorado works to improve road infrastructure, educating both cyclists and motorists and working on legislation to make cycling safer for all Colorado residents.

For media coverage about this case, please visit the following links: 

Cyclist's family reflects after driver who killed him got maximum sentence

Man charged in hit-and-run that killed cyclist

Judge Sentences Man Who Killed Cyclist Chuck Vogel In Hit & Run To Maximum 18 Years 

Driver in hit-and-run crash that killed Parker cyclist sentenced to 18 years

Man sentenced to 18-year prison term for striking, killing Parker cyclist, then fleeing

‘Stop & Think’: Ghost Bike Dedicated For Parker Man Killed

Arrest made in hit-and-run death of Edward 'Chuck' Vogel

More Protection for Cyclists in Bike Lanes

Lawmaker Proposes Legislation - Cyclists Advocate for Protected Bike Lanes

On Monday, February 3, 2020, Senator Mike Foote will address the Senate Judiciary Committee about legislation he is sponsoring to require drivers to yield to bicyclists in bike lanes. Senate Bill 20-061 will make it possible for law enforcement to cite drivers who fail to yield to a bicyclist in a bike lane. Failure to yield would result in a class A traffic offense and would be punishable with a $70 fine. The law would take effect on July 1, 2020, if passed.

If the driver fails to yield to a bicyclist in a bike lane, and this results in a crash or in bodily injury, then this is considered careless driving and punished under the careless driving offense.

Senator Foote also sponsored SB19-175 (Serious Bodily Injury Vulnerable Road User Penalties) in March 2019 which was then signed into law by Governor Polis on May 29, 2019. That same day, Megan was seriously injured when a 19-year old driver crashed into her while she was riding in a bike lane in Arvada. (More HERE).

After handling bike cases for ten years, as well as having a personal interest as the result of her crash and her investment in bike advocacy/activism, Megan saw a need for a law to protect cyclists in bike lanes and to give law enforcement something to work with when it comes time to cite a driver who hits a cyclist riding in a bike lane: “It has always been my belief that a motorist must yield to a cyclist in a bike lane before turning into the bike lane or crossing through it,” says Megan. 

Last year, Megan reached out to Senator Mike Foote and expressed what she saw as a really big hole in the law, not just in Colorado but in most states, where we have the addition of bike lanes for cyclists to use but no laws to protect them.  

Senator Foote agreed, so he and Megan partnered to draft SB20-061. She will be at the Capitol to speak to the Senate Judiciary Committee about the need for this bill to be passed into law to protect cyclists. Alongside her will be Ali Clerkin, who was hit by a driver on May 9, 2016, while biking in the bike lane on Marion Street at E. Bayaud Avenue. It was around 8:00 am, and Ali was wearing a helmet, normal street clothes, and white athletic jacket, making her clearly visible. The street curves to intersect with Downing Street and the bike lane follows this curvature. 

Ali was following this curve of the road in the bike lane; there is also a dotted line where cars can cross over to continue straight to a smaller intersection.

It was at this point that a pick-up truck went through the dotted bike lane line to cross over to the other side and hit Ali on her left-hand side.

“I was just beginning to ride with the curve when a green truck came barreling through the bike lane to move straight through to the smaller intersection (Marion and Bayaud). The truck hit me around the front passenger side. I felt my head and left side of my body hit the car. I fell to my left and hit the ground, where I immediately felt the pain in my left arm,” explains Ali. Since she landed on her left side, most of the ‘blow’ was to that side only.

An ambulance transported Ali to the hospital where doctors told her that she would need surgery. Her shoulder was dislocated, and her upper left arm, elbow, and hand were broken:

• Humerus fracture (in at least 2 places) - x-ray, CT scan, surgery

• Elbow fracture - x-ray, CT scan, sling and brace for isolation

• Wrist (carpal) fracture - x-ray, CT scan, stint for isolation.

According to the police report, the driver was not cited due to conflicting statements and no witnesses. The driver stated that he saw Ali in the bike lane but that she swerved over into the side of the truck all of a sudden. However, the driver indicated to police that he “was probably crowding the bike lane a little bit” and saw Ali in the bike lane and “probably should have moved over a bit.” 

Ali was very disappointed to learn that although she had been severely injured, the driver would not be punished. “There essentially was no accountability placed on him,” she says. “This is mostly because there was no further investigation completed by the Denver Police Department. When the police officer got to the scene, the driver already had his story fabricated that I swerved into his truck and that I only had a dislocated shoulder.” Ali firmly believes that a follow-up investigation should always be done as mental/psychological injury cannot be seen right away regardless if there is serious bodily injury or not.

When Ali followed up with the officer, he asserted that he could not undeniably prove what occurred in the crash in a court but believed the driver to be at fault and thus assigned the driver as Traffic Unit #1 in the report and cited other incriminating comments that the driver told him.

Since the driver did not have to appear in court, Ali was deprived of the chance to seek justice in a traffic case and never had a chance to see the driver punished. Ali was clearly in the right and the driver at fault. Our firm obtained the driver's full policy limits and then also made a substantial recovery from Ali’s own auto insurer as well—all indicative that the insurers accepted fault on behalf of the driver and did not apportion fault to Ali.

As a result of her injuries, Ali had to take sick time, go on short-term disability at 70 percent pay, and was not able to return at a full time capacity immediately. Her husband became her caretaker and accompanied her to all doctors’ visits and the surgery. He woke her up every four hours throughout the day and night to administer pain medication for the first two weeks, ran errands, did all the cooking and cleaning, and drove her to her appointments. He also did physical therapy with her two to three times a day. 

Beyond the physical injuries, the crash took an emotional toll on Ali. The missed work and specifically the timing inhibited her career growth; the position above her was vacated, and she was filling the role and attempting to prove herself worthy of the promotion when this crash happened. 

It has also been difficult for Ali to get back on a bike again. The first time riding her bike was on the two-year anniversary of the crash. “I truly have lost my appetite to ride because overcoming the anxiety does not outweigh the joy I once felt when riding,” she says.  She has only ridden a handful of times, more as a mental health initiative. She rode on dedicated paths without cars or on the sidewalk. (Read more HERE).

Ali is also more afraid to drive in a car. Since the car hit her from behind/in her blindspot, she is constantly afraid that she will miss seeing someone and hit a person, biker, or car. 

One of the main things that Ali learned is that simply riding in the bike lane does not provide an impermeable shield from cars to bicyclists. She believes that in order to make cycling safer, physically separated bike lanes are necessary to make it harder for cars to impede the bike lane.

Community volunteer and bike advocate Amy Kenreich agrees. She has been involved with the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee (MBAC) since 2017 and has been speaking to both residents and cyclists in support of the S. Marion Street Parkway Improvements project. The city is currently finalizing designs, and construction of a protected bike lane is planned for 2020. Although Amy heard a lot of positive feedback from part of the population, there are many people, especially residents, who oppose adding a protected bike lane. Amy says that most of the arguments against the protected bike lane stemmed from one theme: “Not In My Back Yard.” “Sometimes people are simply opposed to change,” she says.

“I had a really difficult time understanding why anyone would oppose a protected bike lane in front of an elementary school. I live four blocks away from this project. I take my kids to the playground at Steele Elementary often, and I also ride this street to reach the Cherry Creek Trail. When Alexis Bounds was struck and killed, it made me mad and terrified me. Because I have been on the MBAC and because I know about Vision Zero, I just couldn’t sit by and do nothing,” says Amy. 

Amy encourages people in Denver to follow the Bicycling in Denver page and to check out “News and Updates” for a list of upcoming public meetings.

“One of the best things you can do is attend these meetings and make your voice heard.  Another way you can help is to submit feedback on the same site. DOTI (Department of Transportation and Infrastructure) really does read and tally up all comments that come in on a project. For the Marion project, the city showed a slide of all the types of feedback that came in, and it clearly showed that the #1 priority was the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians. Your voice matters, and it doesn’t take much time to make sure it’s heard,” emphasizes Amy.

Another site to watch is the Denver Bicycle Lobby. They post the Denver bike lane public meeting dates on their site and also host meet-ups and organize efforts to support bicycle advocacy in Denver. 

Please advocate for safer cycling with us on February 3rd at the State Capitol in supporting this bill. Here are the details:

State Capitol

200 E. Colfax

Denver, CO 80203 

The hearing will be on the third floor in room 352 - Senate Judiciary.  

Time: 1:30 pm. 

Colorado's New Stop-As-Yield Legislation

By Megan & Maureen: 

SB18-144

Bicycle Operation Approaching Intersection

Concerning the regulation of bicycles approaching intersections.

On May 3, 2018, Colorado Governor Hickenlooper signed into law SB144, or what’s commonly referred to as the Idaho stop, also known as a safety or rolling stop or “stop as yield.” In effect in Idaho since 1982, the law allows cyclists to treat a stop sign like a yield sign and a red light like a stop sign. In 2017, Delaware adopted a limited stop as yield law.

Interestingly, the new Colorado law isn’t actually a state law – it’s recommended language, which each individual city or county may now adopt at its option.

C.R.S § 42-4-1412.5 provides a statewide standard on the regulation of bicycles approaching intersections which local governments can choose to implement:  Idaho stops were already legal in Aspen, Breckenridge and Dillon, as well as Summit County, prior to the passage of this new law.

(1) At intersections with stop signs, a cyclist should slow “to a reasonable speed and yield the right-of-way to any traffic or pedestrian in or approaching the intersection.” The cyclist may then turn or go through the intersection without stopping.

A reasonable speed is considered 15 mph or less. Local governments may reduce or increase the reasonable speed but will be required to post signs at intersections stating the lower or higher speed limitations.

(2) At red traffic lights, cyclists are required to completely stop and yield to traffic and pedestrians. Once the cyclist has yielded, they may “cautiously proceed in the same direction through the intersection or make a right-hand turn. A cyclist may not go through the intersection at a red light if an oncoming vehicle is turning or preparing to turn left in front of the person.”

The law further states that a cyclist may only make a left-hand turn at a red traffic light if turning onto a one-way street. The cyclist must stop and then yield to traffic and pedestrians before turning left. NOTE: It is not legal for a cyclist to make a left-hand turn onto a two-lane road (one lane in each direction) at an intersection with a red traffic light.

This law does not give cyclists the right to blow through intersections: they still have to yield. 

Megan Hottman (@cyclist_lawyer) on Instagram: "Round 2 filming bike safety/motorist awareness #PSA videos today with the #bikeambassadors and..."

(Example see video at right: our friend Katie running a stop sign (part of a cycling video series the City of Golden is making-don't worry, this was a controlled intersection!)

At all other times, cyclists must comply with the rules set forth in CRS §42-4-1412 and 42-4-221 regarding the operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles.

The main argument for the Idaho stop appears to be that it increases safety for cyclists.  Senator Andy Kerr, who authored Senate Bill 18-144, is a cyclist himself. He maintains that the most dangerous time for a cyclist is when they are stopped at an intersection.  Colorado’s local bicycle advocacy group, Bicycle Colorado, was also strongly in favor of this new rule and was actively involved in its passage.

If a cyclist is not waiting at an intersection, they are less likely to be hit by a car. The faster they can get through the intersection and out of the way of motorists, the better. Additionally, when a cyclist can proceed through an intersection and get out in front of traffic, there is less chance of getting hit by a vehicle making a right-hand turn.

A study by Jason Meggs titled ‘Bicycle Safety and Choice: Compounded Public Cobenefits of the Idaho Law Relaxing Stop Requirements for Cycling’ found that a year after the Idaho stop law was implemented, cyclist injuries declined by 14.5 percent in Idaho. Meggs further stated that there is no evidence that fatalities increased as a result of the adoption of the law in Idaho.

“I'm an ‘Idaho Stopper’ who approves this change in traffic laws that favors cyclists. As a threatened road user group, cyclists need the added protection of bike-specific laws that promote safer cycling like the Idaho stop and 3-foot passing.” (Richard H.)

Another argument in favor of the law is that it legalizes what most people already do. A study by DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development found that only about 1 in 25 cyclists come to a complete stop at stop signs. Two out of three cyclists go through red lights when there's no cross traffic. (See also- CU Study).

“The most prevalent response as to why cyclists break the rules of the road was “personal safety,” with more than 71 percent of respondents citing that as a reason. Saving energy came in second for bicyclists (56 percent) followed by saving time (50 percent). Increasing one’s visibility was the fourth-most-cited response (47 percent) for bicyclists breaking the law. The authors noted that an overwhelming majority of bicyclists break the rules, but suggested they did so in situations where little harm would come to themselves or others.”

— Aaron Johnson, a PhD student in sociology at CU Boulder : https://www.colorado.edu/asmagazine/2017/08/04/biking-bad

It has also been argued that it takes significant energy for a cyclist to start again after having to stop at stop signs/traffic signals.  The DePaul study suggests that “when cyclists sense there are no immediate safety risks, their desire to maintain forward momentum and conserve energy almost always exceeds their desire to strictly adhere to traffic laws.”

We solicited comments and feedback via our Facebook page and share below, some of the varying thoughts we received:

“I think it's a good thing for cyclists, codifying what a lot of people, frankly, were doing anyway. It doesn't absolve cyclists of a responsibility to ride safely, but just acknowledges the realities of bike riding.” (Brandon R.)

The new law could also improve the flow of traffic and reduce congestion by getting cyclists and motorists through intersections more quickly.

Another argument: traffic signs and signals were not created with cyclists in mind. Cyclists often have to wait at traffic lights until a motor vehicle triggers a sensor to change the light: 

“I approve of this, especially the red stop light law. So many times I come across stupid stop lights that won't change unless they detect a car. This will allow cyclists to proceed without fear of a ticket.” (Kerry N.)

Not everyone is in favor of the new law. Opponents argue that bicyclists should follow the same rules as motorists. They further maintain that bicyclist behavior will be even more unpredictable and dangerous:

“All users of the road have to abide by the same set of rules. Confusion will abound and accidents will occur.” (TJ R.)

Many worry that the new law should be implemented statewide and will lead to confusion for both drivers and cyclists since counties and municipalities can decide whether to adopt the law:

“The opt-in aspect is disappointing and will create significant confusion for motorists, cyclists, and law-enforcement. Imagine if Denver opts-in but Lakewood does not. So east of Sheridan you can use the Idaho stop, but west of Sheridan doing so will get you a ticket. Someone driving through Lakewood who sees a cyclist getting a ticket for rolling a stop sign will assume that behavior is not permitted anywhere. So when a cyclist does it in front of them in Denver, they're going to get angry and annoyed at the cyclist for (incorrectly) believing the cyclist is breaking the law. While I understand the need to add that piece in order to make the legislation palatable for the state legislature to pass it, the inability to have a uniform law that would improve cyclist safety is disappointing.” (Kathryn W.)

Some suggest that the law may create even more tension between motorists and cyclists:

“As a cyclist, I think it makes a lot of sense, but motorists aren't likely to see it that way. So, if widely used, I think it is going to inflame the notion that cyclists are an elite group who believe ‘the rules don't apply to them’ (because many motorists will be either unaware of the change or just dislike it). I also think you are safest on a bike on the road when you do predictable things - meaning that you act like a car. When you move in between being-like-a-car and following some pattern that drivers aren't used to, that is when people make mistakes because something happens they weren't expecting.” (Greg M.)

We ran an informal poll of Golden-area cyclists to ask them if they were in favor of this rule, or opposed to it.  While some who live out of city limits did accidentally vote, the overwhelming majority voted in favor.

Moving forward, the challenge will now be to educate motorists, cyclists and law enforcement about the new law – if, and when, cities and counties decide to adopt it.  As of now, cyclists must still stop at stop signs and red lights until this language is adopted in their jurisdictions. And of course a cyclist always has the option to remain stopped at the red light until it turns green.  

We'd love your feedback/comments- what do you think about your local city or county adopting this legislation?  If you have a strong opinion, we recommend you let your local city council members know -chances are, they are debating this very issue right now!