Reckless Endangerment Lawyer in Fort Collins
Semi Brakes Go Out

An oil truck driver was charged with Reckless Endangerment and Reckless Driving after his brakes went out and he exited the highway. Read more here.

Reckless Endangerment is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County, when a person is accused of acting in a way that could cause serious bodily injury to another. Often, we see Reckless Endangerment charges related to traffic incidents where Carless Driving or Reckless Driving is ticketed. This is exactly the case in a recent oil truck crash. According to the report, the semi driver had lost control of the brakes and crashed while getting off the highway. Apparently, there was a sign on the highway instructing semi drivers to remain on the interstate if they have lost their brakes. My guess is because the driver didn’t follow this, he is facing charges of Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangerment.

Larimer County Reckless Endangerment Attorney for No Brakes: Legal Definition in Colorado

The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Reckless Endangerment – C.R.S. 18-3-208 – is:

A person who recklessly engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person commits reckless endangerment, which is a class 2 misdemeanor.

It’s likely that because there were specific instructions about staying on the interstate if you lose the brakes and instead, the driver exited the highway, where vehicles were traveling at a slower pace and needing to stop at lights and take various traffic patterns into account that the man was charged with putting others in at risk for injury. Luckily, no one else was injured in the accident, but the oil cleanup was extensive.

Reckless Driving Charges in Loveland: What is Reckless Driving in Estes Park?

In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Reckless Driving – C.R.S. 42-4-1401 – is defined as:

A person who drives a motor vehicle, bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, electric scooter, or low-power scooter in such a manner as to indicate either a wanton or a willful disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. A person convicted of reckless driving of a bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or electric scooter is not subject to section 42-2-127.

I guess that by exiting the highway knowing that you don’t have control of the vehicle, it could be argued that you are acting with a disregard for the safety of other drivers. It’s hard to know exactly how one would react when in a complete state of panic like that, though.


If you or someone you love has been charged with Reckless Endangerment, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.

Photo by Erik Mclean