SUMMIT COUNTY, CO – On Saturday, April 14, 2018 Copper Mountain Ski Resort was hosting the Red Bull Slope Soakers 2018 special event. At approximately 2:20 p.m. the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at Copper Mountain Ski Resort, Lower Ski Patrol Room, for the report of a contestant participating in the event who witnesses reported intentionally skied into a crowd of spectators, causing serious injuries. Deputies were delayed in responding to this call because it was originally dispatched at 1:30 p.m. as a reckless driver complaint at Copper Mountain Ski Resort. As deputies were enroute to the reckless driver call they were diverted to a higher priority call of a suicidal subject. It was not until after the suicidal subject call was resolved that deputies learned of the skier incident.

Deputies interviewed witnesses and victims involved in this incident. Initially two injured spectators were identified. Photographs and video were seized by deputies on scene, which supported the witnesses and victim’s statements. Based on the evidence collected along with the witnesses and victim’s statements, the skier, Hayden Wright, a 26-year-old male from Englewood, Colorado, was cited for 3rd degree assault and a violation of the skier safety act, both misdemeanors and released on scene.

The charges were withdrawn as news of the event became known on social media, which led to additional witnesses and victims coming forward. Sheriff’s Office detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and obtain witness and victim statements. Once the investigation is concluded, the results will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office and appropriate charges will be determined.

If you have leads or information related to the individuals intent, actions before or after the event or injuries please contact Detective Scott Wagner at 970.423.8913.

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