YOUR AD HERE »

Man in coma after motorcycle crash

Alex Miller
Special to the Daily
ALL |

AVON – A 25-year-old Avon man remained in serious condition Wednesday following a motorcycle crash in Avon last week. Benjamin Sassenfeld, 25, suffered a broken pelvis, head trauma and internal injuries following the incident.According to police reports, Sassenfeld was driving home from a night in Vail at about 10:45 p.m. July 7, accompanied by friend Walter Mischer on another motorcycle. Sassenfeld lost control of his motorcycle while traveling north on Metcalf Road. He hit a large boulder and was ejected, reports say. The motorcycle was airborne for 43 feet before crashing.Another driver, who’d just been passed by the motorcyclists, discovered Sassenfeld and called 911, reports say. Mischer returned shortly thereafter but allegedly left before police arrived.Sassenfeld, a native of Bainbridge Island near Seattle, has been an accounting coordinator with the Vail Valley Chamber & Tourism Bureau since February, 2004.”Ben has this infectious energy and an enthusiasm for life that’s unmatched,” said Christy Laird at the Chamber. “He’s an incredible person.”Laird said the Chamber is in touch with Denver Health Medical Center where Sassenfeld is in a coma in the intensive care unit. She said he responded to stimulus Tuesday with arm and eye movement and that doctors had removed a device from his head measuring brain pressure.Mischer has since been found guilty of improperly passing on the left and speeding, said District Attorney Mark Hurlbert. Sassenfeld was not charged, Hurlbert said. Alex Miller can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 615, or amiller@vaildaily.com. Staff Writer Steve Lynn contributed to this article.Vail, Colorado


Support Local Journalism