Springs police seek man involved in fatal car crash

Colorado Springs police are looking for Michael Stephen Benton, 32, in connection with a fatal car crash Monday in the 1400 block of North Nevada Avenue, according to a news release. The crash killed Mark Meschelle and left Ken Baker in critical condition.

Baker and Meschelle, business partners with Allied Plumbing, were standing in the street getting equipment from their van when a gray Nissan Pathfinder slammed into the parked car behind them, crushing the men between their van and the parked car, said Colorado Springs police.

A woman in the Nissan told police that she swerved to avoid another car. An investigation revealed that Benton, not the woman, was driving the Nissan at the time, said Barbara Miller, police spokeswoman.

Miller did not know what charges are on the warrant for Benton’s arrest. Police believe Benton is staying in a Colorado Springs hotel, and is driving a white Dodge Neon. Baker remains in critical condition, and has undergone mutliple surgeries, said friend Cher Warren.