Deputy placed on administrative leave, without pay, pending the conclusion of the criminal case

Boulder County, Colo. - The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office has charged Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Daniel Pratt, age 45, with two counts of vehicular assault, a Class 5 Felony, based on the outcome of an investigation conducted by the Colorado State Patrol.

The state patrol investigated a vehicular collision that occurred at approximately 9:40 p.m. on August 12, 2022, involving the deputy’s patrol vehicle and a civilian passenger vehicle. At the time of the collision, Deputy Pratt, who has been with the sheriff’s office since 2018, was responding emergency and driving with lights and sirens to the Boulder County Fairgrounds, located at 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. Deputy Pratt was driving Longmont-bound on Highway 119, when he struck a vehicle headed eastbound on Niwot Road.

The two occupants of the passenger vehicle sustained serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Deputy Pratt, and his K9 partner that was also in his patrol vehicle at the time of the collision, were both medically evaluated and discharged without injuries.

The initial call for response to the Boulder County Fairgrounds was a request for back-up assistance after a fight broke out between dozens of people attending the Boulder County Fair. There was also a report of a stabbing, which fortunately was found, at a later time, to be unsubstantiated.

Following the collision, the Colorado State Patrol and District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene to ensure an independent and thorough investigation. The charges are based on speed, the traffic signals at the intersection, and eyewitness observations.

As with any accident involving a sheriff’s office vehicle, the sheriff’s office started its own internal investigation. The investigation is ongoing at this time, and at its conclusion the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office will determine if disciplinary action needs to occur. Deputy Pratt is on administrative leave, without pay, pending the conclusion of the criminal case.

Deputy Pratt will return on the felony summons for his first appearance on February 17, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.

Questions regarding the collision investigation should be directed to the Colorado State Patrol. Questions regarding the charges filed should be directed to the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case number for the response to the collision is: 22-03970. The case number for the incident which took place at the Boulder County Fairgrounds is: 22-03971. The case number for the Colorado State Patrol investigation is: 1D222573.

As in every criminal case, these charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

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/s/ Carrie Haverfield, Public Information Specialist