A coroner ruled that a Colorado Springs woman intentionally drove the wrong way on Interstate 70, causing a fatal head-on crash [1], [2].
The ruling changes the nature of the investigation from a typical traffic accident to a deliberate act that endangered multiple lives. Such findings often influence how insurance claims are processed and how law enforcement categorizes the event.
Briana Brink, 32, was identified as the driver of the vehicle [1]. The crash occurred on Monday near the Colorado-Utah border in Mesa County [2], [4]. According to the Mesa County Coroner, the manner of death was ruled as an intentional act [2], [3].
In addition to the death of the driver, the collision injured five other people [4]. The impact occurred when Brink's vehicle entered the highway traveling in the opposite direction of traffic [1].
"Ms. Brink was the driver of an automobile that was traveling in the ..." a Mesa County Coroner's Office spokesperson said [1].
"The manner of death was ruled as an intentional act," the Mesa County Coroner said [2].
Authorities have not released specific details regarding the motive behind the driver's actions. However, the ruling indicates that the wrong-way travel was not the result of a navigational error or medical emergency.
"The Colorado State Patrol is continuing its investigation into the crash," a Colorado State Patrol spokesperson said [3].
“"The manner of death was ruled as an intentional act."”
The determination of an 'intentional act' by the coroner suggests that the driver deliberately sought a collision. This classification distinguishes the event from accidental wrong-way entries, which are often attributed to driver confusion or impaired judgment, and may lead to different legal implications for the victims' recovery of damages.
