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Driver cited in accident that sent car into Lake Granby

Tonya Bina
Sky-Hi Daily News
Grand County, Colorado

The Colorado State Patrol has completed its investigation involving an H3 Hummer that ended up in Lake Granby on Aug. 3. The incident threatened the lives of five people inside the sinking vehicle.

Jun Li, 78, of China, who rode in the rented Hummer’s front passenger seat, remained trapped inside the vehicle prior to being saved by witnesses, Grand County EMS and sheriff’s personnel.

The Colorado State Patrol issued a citation to the driver of the vehicle, Qiang Zhao, 45, of Setauka, N.Y., for careless driving causing bodily injury. According to the police report, the Hummer was struck when Zhao attempted to pass the utility truck driven by Lucas Thom, 30, of Loveland, while Thom was turning left into the Grand Elk Marina. The report states that witnesses confirmed Thom had indicated the turn with a turn signal.



Thom and his passenger Joseph Gonsalez, 32, of Loveland went to the aid of the Hummer passengers, witnesses said. Xi Zhang, 20, of Boulder, Kevin Cao, 11, of Setauka, N.Y., and Guo Zhao, 76, of China, along with driver Quiang Zhao were able to escape the sinking vehicle and make it safely to shore, yet Li remained trapped by her seat belt and nearly drowned.

Li was flown to St. Anthony Central, Denver. She has survived the trauma.



– Tonya Bina can be reached at 970-887-3334 ext. 19603 or e-mail tbina@skyhidailynews.com.


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