A jury has found Amy Weiss, a middle school teacher in the Poudre School District, guilty of careless driving resulting in the death of 10-year-old Oliver (Ollie) Stratton. The tragic incident occurred on the evening of August 2, 2023, in Timnath, Colorado, when Ollie was riding his bicycle south on Saddle Horn Drive and crossing River Pass Road. Just before 6 p.m., he was struck by Weiss, who was driving a 2019 Audi SUV east on River Pass Road.
This case hits particularly close to home for our organization, Bike Fort Collins, which advocates for safer streets and better conditions for cyclists in Northern Colorado. The crash occurred in a residential neighborhood, a place where children, families, and cyclists should feel safe. Unfortunately, this tragedy underscores the real dangers that cyclists face on our roads, especially when drivers fail to pay full attention to their surroundings.
According to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, the crash was the result of Weiss failing to notice Ollie while driving. The prosecution presented evidence that Weiss was distracted by her phone just prior to the incident. Prior to the start of the trial Monday morning, Weiss admitted to deleting the texts and pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence, a Class 1 misdemeanor, before the trial began. The last message she sent was just 11 seconds before the crash.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that Weiss’s distraction with her phone led to her failure to see Ollie. They presented evidence that, in addition to her texts, Weiss had been on the phone while driving. The defense, however, disputed this claim. Attorney Andy Gavaldon argued that Weiss wasn’t distracted at the time of the crash, suggesting instead that her view of Ollie was obstructed by another vehicle ahead of her. He also contended that Weiss may have been using her phone in a hands-free mode. However, when questioned by investigators, Weiss did not mention using hands-free technology. In fact, during an interview after the crash, she claimed she did not remember seeing any other vehicles around at the time of the incident.
The jury ultimately convicted Weiss of careless driving resulting in death, a Class 1 traffic misdemeanor. Weiss now faces sentencing for both the careless driving charge and the tampering charge, with a hearing scheduled for March 7, 2024. The case has brought attention to the dangers of distracted driving, and many in the Timnath community are mourning the loss of a young life. For us at Bike Fort Collins, this tragedy is a stark reminder of the need for safer streets and better driver awareness, especially in areas where children and cyclists are vulnerable. It also serves as a reminder of the potentially devastating consequences of failing to remain focused behind the wheel.
Our hearts are with the Stratton family as they mourn the tragic loss of Ollie. If you wish to support them, please consider visiting Ollie’s Bike Parade. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was created to honor Ollie’s memory and advance the mission of protecting young, vulnerable road users. Through community education, legislative advocacy, and remembering victims like Ollie, the charity strives to make our streets safer for all. Ollie, just 10 years old, tragically lost his life while crossing the street on his bike in his own neighborhood. Ollie’s Bike Parade is a lasting tribute to his spirit and the cause that now carries his name.