Grover Man Gets Decade in Prison for Hit-and-Run

Published on March 11, 2020

Cody Boetger Mugshot

GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) – A Grover man will spend the next decade behind bars for hitting and killing a Greeley firefighter last year.

During the morning of April 25, 26-year-old Cody Boetger was driving west on 5th Street near 14th Avenue in Greeley, when he crossed the center line and struck Steve Kuzik, who was on his motorcycle, head on.

Investigators say Boetger drove away from the scene, leaving Kuzik in the street to die.

Kuzik was a 21-year veteran firefighter for the City of Greeley, and was on his way to work when he was killed.

“Steve was a hard-worker and a mentor to any young firefighter that needed him,” Greeley firefighter Kevin Malone said during Tuesday’s sentencing hearing. “He was tough as nails. He would never back away from danger, especially if he could help someone.”

Boetger was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident, a class 3 felony, and Driving Under Restraint – Outstanding judgment.

In January, Boetger plead guilty to Leaving the Scene of an Accident. Under the law, the maximum sentence is 12 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. However, as part of a plea agreement, the parties stipulated to 10 ½ years in DOC.

“In a tragic case like this, no one wins,” Deputy District Attorney Ashley Fetyko said. “But this plea agreement saved the victim’s family from the horror and the trauma of a trial. No amount of prison time will ever bring back this victim. It’s my hope, though, that Mr. Kuzik’s family and loved ones can begin a journey of healing.”

Weld District Judge Vincente Vigil also sentenced Boetger to three years of parole once he finishes serving his prison sentence.

“This loss affects this community a great deal,” Judge Vigil said. “We’ve lost a public servant who was such a brilliant and great example of his noble profession.”

Deputy District Attorney Ashley Fetyko prosecuted this case.

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