Cops on the Mountain (VDN)

Note that Colorado is pursuing collisions on the mountain that are deemed to be reckless, malicious or cause with significant injuries. What used to be simply boorish behaviour is now being handed over to the criminal justice system. As someone who witnessed and been involved in some serious collisions (on both sides!) it is no surprise that local governments are getting involved. When tourists get killed/hurt, and business is damaged because of negligent behaviour, government starts to care. Rather amazingly, the Eagle county DA has secured felony convictions in some cases. A felony pretty much permanently impairs a person for the rest of their life for just an incredible variety of things.

Cops: Snowboarder hit 8-year-old

Man allegedly ran down mountain and into bar, where he was arrested
Matt Zalaznick
December 2, 2006

VAIL — A snowboarder ran away after colliding with an 8-year-old girl who was skiing on Vail Mountain Saturday afternoon with her father, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office said.The snowboarder, 22, took off down the mountain when the girl’s father, who was described as “very upset,” told the young man ski patrol had been notified of the collision that occurred shortly after 2 p.m. at the bottom of the Born Free run near the Lionshead village base of the mountain, said Sgt. Greg Daly of the Sheriff’s Office.“He left his snowboard at the scene and made his way down the mountain,” Daly said. “There might have been a physical exchange between the father and the snowboarder — that’s the subject of an ongoing investigation.”Neither the name of the snowboarder, who Daly said lives in the Avon area, nor the girl were released. Daly said he did not know where the girl lived.The snowboarder was tracked down later Saturday afternoon by ski patrollers, Vail police officers and sheriff’s deputies, who found and arrested him in Garfinkels, a bar near the bottom of the mountain, Daly said.The man was charged with skiing while impaired by alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident, both petty offenses and violations of the state’s Skier Safety Act, Daly said.“He initially denied being involved but decided to tell the truth,” Daly said of the suspect. “He did admit to consuming alcohol.”The girl was taken to Vail Valley Medical Center and released later Saturday, Daly said. The man remained in jail Saturday evening and the incident is still being investigated, Daly said.