Chamber chairwoman, passenger injured in alleged DUI crash
Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Kelly Roth suffered a broken ankle, and her passenger was seriously injured in a weekend crash that could lead to drunken-driving charges.
Colorado Springs police say Roth, 40, was speeding around a slight curve on Hill Circle Drive in the Kissing Camels Estates at 11:30 p.m. Saturday when she lost control, ran into the median, struck a tree and careened another 60 feet before stopping.
Police say the 2002 Lexus she was driving was damaged so badly that she and passenger Loren Lancaster, 53, had to be extricated by emergency crews.
Both were taken to Penrose Main Hospital, where they remained Monday.
Police said Roth suffered a broken ankle, while Lancaster suffered a possible broken back.
Roth owns Delta Solutions & Strategies of Colorado Springs, a technical and management defense-industry consulting firm she co-founded in 2000. She became a chamber member six years ago. In 2004, the chamber named her Small Business Person of the Year.
Roth became the face of the chamber when she took over in January as its 2009 board chairwoman, the chamber's top volunteer post and a one-year position.
An unidentified spokesman at her office said she remained hospitalized Monday.
Lancaster is managing director of Core Capital Group, a local investment-banking firm specializing in technology companies. He runs the Electronics & Semiconductor Group, which provides advisory services for strategic business relationships in the electronics and semiconductor industries.
Lancaster also is president of PeakVenture Group, a nonprofit networking group that brings together entrepreneurs, investors and fledgling companies.
Lancaster remained in intensive care Monday, an unidentified spokeswoman said at his Core Capital office.
Upon release from the hospital, police said Roth will be arrested on suspicion of reckless driving, DUI and felony vehicular assault.
Dave Csintyan, president of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce released a statement Monday:
"The chamber board and staff are aware of this accident. Our primary concern is for the well being of Kelly Roth and the passenger in her car. The board and staff will continue to represent the best interest of our members and the community at large."
After reading the statement, Csintyan said he has not spoken to Roth since the crash. But he had spoken to chairman-elect Greg Mitchell, president of Colorado Technical University, and that Mitchell will remain his "primary contact until this is sorted out."
Csintyan added that the chamber has strong leadership with Mitchell and Mike Jorgensen, the chamber's treasurer.
"I have a strong core group I can go to," Csintyan said. "We have a very strong leadership presence on our board. We won't miss a beat. The community won't feel any impact. I realigned my communications starting yesterday."
The chamber has nearly 1,500 members.
