Arrest preceded fatal crash

Driver of car in which two teens died cited for alcohol violation in April

John C. Ensslin And Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News

Published May 16, 2006 at midnight

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WESTMINSTER - The driver of the car that crashed into a light pole Saturday, killing two Pomona High School sophomores, was arrested on a drunken-driving charge in April at nearly the same intersection where the crash occurred.

Westminster police said they pulled over Gregory Stephen Ullrich, 24, on April 6 after he failed to signal a lane change at Wadsworth Parkway and West 92nd Avenue. That's the same intersection where Ullrich slammed a Honda hatchback into a traffic signal pole late Saturday.

Police arrested him that April night just two blocks farther north on a charge of driving under the influence and driving while his license was under restraint. The officer who made the arrest said he could smell alcohol on Ullrich's breath. Tests later showed he had a blood alcohol content of 0.106 percent.

Westminster police have not released the results of any blood alcohol tests from Saturday's fatal crash.

Ullrich remained in serious condition Monday at Saint Anthony Central Hospital. He is the lone survivor of the one-vehicle accident that claimed the lives of Chayce Miller and Alex Livesay, both 16.

Authorities said Miller and Livesay died at the scene. One witness said one of the teens was ejected from the vehicle. Firefighters had to use a prying device to remove Ullrich.

Livesay's father, Mark, said the two boys had been at a gathering at the home of another student prior to the crash. Ullrich is the boyfriend of that student's mother, Livesay said.

Court records also show that Ullrich had a drunken run-in with Denver police last month in which he allegedly cursed at officers in a parking lot outside a bar.

On April 18, an employee at the Subway Tavern in Denver called police to report a fight in a parking lot. Police reported finding Ullrich extremely drunk, with bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, court records indicate.

He told officers to "(expletive deleted) off" and called them "(expletive deleted) pigs," a citation said. He also said that the only "solution for cops is when they are in the bottom of the ocean," according to the citation.

The other person involved in the fight fled before police arrived. Ullrich was found guilty of fighting and served a day in jail, court records indicate.

Westminster police spokesman Wayne Read said one investigator is focusing on reconstructing the crash and another is working on criminal aspects, if any.

"We're hoping to have something by the end of the week - and that's a little optimistic," Read said.

Police are examining whether speed or alcohol played a factor in the crash. There were no signs of alcohol consumption inside the wreckage of the vehicle, he said.

Funeral arrangements for the two teenagers are still pending, family members said. One autopsy was conducted Monday and the other is scheduled for today.

Meanwhile, a team of counselors helped comfort students and staff at Pomona High School.

"It's a very close school and quite emotional," said Marlene Desmond, a spokeswoman for Jeffco Public Schools.

She said many students went to a room where they could write letters to the families of Livesay and Miller.

Pomona High School Principal Dan Cohan said there was an outpouring of help from students, their parents, school staff members and the surrounding business community.

"I've been overwhelmed by the support," Cohan said. "If you had to sum it up, it was just a day of sorrow, a day of support and day of caring for one another."

Cohan said he was at a vigil for the two teens Sunday night at which 10 parents approached him and offered whatever help they could provide the school.

He also cited the example of a local barbecue restaurant near the crash scene that had provided water and a refuge for the steady stream of students who have been leaving flowers at the scene of the crash.

A family that is close to the Livesays and Millers has helped set up memorial funds in the names of both boys. Cohan said anyone wishing to contribute to the funds can do so at any Wells Fargo bank or at a contribution box set up at the school.

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