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Coroner’s office ID’s man killed in Highlands Ranch auto-pedestrian crash

The Douglas County Coroner’s Office on Wednesday identified a 31-year-old man who was struck and killed by a teenager driving in Highlands Ranch on Sunday.

Highlands Ranch resident Luke Peterson, 31, was struck by a vehicle at 2:54 p.m. Sunday while walking his dog along southbound Kendrick Castillo Way at Mayberry Drive.

The coroner’s office didn’t specify the exact cause of death, as the autopsy report hasn’t been finalized, a spokesperson said.

Peterson died on-scene, while his dog died later in a veterinarian’s office, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

On Tuesday, Peterson’s family launched a GoFundMe to raise funds “to cover any related expenses to this devastating incident,” the page said.

As of Wednesday, with a goal of raising $22,000, the fundraiser has generated over $16,000.

“Thank you for your support during this time,” the GoFundMe page read. “The family greatly appreciates it.”

In a Monday news release, sheriff’s officials said Cade Kaminski, 19, will face charges of fourth-degree felony vehicular homicide and animal abuse, alleging he may have fallen asleep before the crash.

During his interview with investigators after the crash, Kaminski emotionally said, “it’s all my fault … I took an innocent man’s life,” according to the arrest affidavit.

The affidavit said Kaminski told investigators that he had just over five hours of sleep the night before, then skied for five hours in Eldora near Boulder with friends before driving back to Highlands Ranch on Sunday.

“Cade had been known to be very tired and exhausted by the time they got back to Highlands Ranch after one of these trips,” according to the affidavit, adding he’d place an energy drink in the cupholder in case he got too tired.

Two passengers with Kaminski were asleep at the time of the crash, according to the affidavit.

It noted officers clocked Kaminski’s speed at 40-45 mph, before swerving and driving his Toyota 4Runner onto the curb, striking two trees, Peterson and his dog.

The investigator interviewing Kaminski claimed Kaminski was aware of his exhaustion behind the wheel and didn’t break at any point, adding he had made this drive from Eldora to Highlands Ranch six-to-eight times while tired, according to the affidavit.

“This behavior shows a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of the public,” the investigator noted in the affidavit.

Kaminski remained on-scene and cooperated with authorities, according to sheriff’s office officials.

Along with vehicular homicide and animal abuse, Kaminski might face charges of reckless driving and weaving.

Kaminski was released on $20,000 bond, court records show. He’s next due in court April 17 for filing of charges.

The Denver Gazette reached out to the Kaminski family attorney for comment, who said they won’t make a statement until the 23rd Judicial District Attorney formally files charges. Kaminski had no criminal record, according to court records. 

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