A driver suspected of hitting a motorcyclist and fleeing the crash scene was arrested last month by Colorado State Patrol on suspicion of felony vehicular assault while driving under the influence, among other potential charges, according to an arrest affidavit.
Bronson Glazier, a 34-year-old from Flora Vista, New Mexico, was also arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI, prohibited use of weapons, failure to remain at the scene after an accident involving serious injury, failure to notify police of an accident and having an open alcoholic container in his motor vehicle, according to the affidavit.
Glazier allegedly hit a motorcyclist from Durango, 40-year-old Chris Leanzo, who was riding his motorcycle on his way to work as a maintenance employee at Mountain Middle School. The crash happened on U.S Highway 550 south of Durango the morning of July 31. He was arrested that same day.
Leanzo suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash, and was life-flighted from Durango to Farmington and again to Denver to address his injuries, said Christopher Bartlett, Leano’s best friend.
Leanzo has had nine surgeries and is anticipated to have a long road to recovery, Bartlett said. Bystanders preformed CPR on Leanzo while the white Dodge flatbed truck driven by Glazier allegedly drove away from the scene, according to the affidavit.
Leanzo had purchased his motorcycle recently, and the motorcycle was completely wrecked as a result of the crash, Bartlett said. Glazier’s truck allegedly had red marks on its side matching the paint color of the struck motorcycle.
Troopers stopped Glazier on the north roundabout on Highway 550 by the Maverick gas station after he drove away from the crash. He allegedly told troopers that the damage on his vehicle was from hitting a curb and denied hitting anyone, according to the affidavit.
While being questioned, troopers identified a strong odor of alcohol on Glazier’s breath, and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. He allegedly consented to a field sobriety test, in which he did not present to be sober. A preliminary breath sample put his blood alcohol content at .203, according to the affidavit.
He was arrested on suspicion for a DUI at that time, and a blood test was ordered at Mercy Hospital. After searching the vehicle, troopers allegedly found an open, empty 40 proof alcohol bottle in the driver’s door.
Troopers also allegedly found a loaded firearm mounted magnetically under the steering wheel, according to the affidavit.
Glazier was released on a personal recognizance bond with the conditions that he cannot drink alcohol or take drugs, have firearms or weapons, and drive without a valid driver’s license, according to the court order issued Aug. 5.
The hearing for formal charges is 10 a.m. Aug. 31 at the La Plata County Courthouse.
Mary Orr, a friend of Leanzo, started a GoFundMe page to raise donations to help pay his medical bills. The page can be found here.
Leanzo is an avid community volunteer and is involved with various motorcycle events and fundraisers, Bartlett said.
“He’s such a good guy, and I think the community should come around, surround us and help him,” he said. “Anyone needs help, he’s always there.”
As of Tuesday morning, a little under $5,000 of the $10,000 GoFundMe goal had been raised.
Bartlett said he hopes that after recent accidents, people will recognize drivers need to be more aware and careful of motorcycles on the road.
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