Holly MatkinAdams County, CO – Commerce City Police Department (CCPD) Detective Curt Holland died in the line of duty on Oct. 16, when an alleged drunk driver slammed into his patrol SUV head-on.
The intoxicated driver also crashed into the female driver of a second vehicle, killing her as well, KCNC reported.
The tragic incident occurred on Highway 2 near Turnberry Parkway just after 6 p.m. on Oct. 16, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) said in a press release later that night.
Det. Holland, 37, was traveling northbound in an unmarked CCPD Ford Explorer at the time of the crash.
Francesca “Frannie” Dominguez, 31, was also traveling northbound in her Kia Soul.
As their vehicles approached, the driver of a southbound Ford F350 suddenly traveled off of onto the right shoulder, then crossed back into the roadway and collided with Det. Holland’s SUV “head-on,” the CSP said.
The Ford F350 then slammed into the side of Dominguez’s Kia.
Det. Holland and Dominguez were both pronounced dead at the scene, the CSP said.
The driver of the Ford F350 was transported to the University of Colorado Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
He was later identified as 45-year-old Fructoso Rosales-Cano, KCNC reported.
Investigators said that alcohol and excessive speed are both factors in the deadly collision.
The CSP is handling the ongoing investigation into the crash.
Det. Holland served with the Denver Sheriff’s Department prior to joining CCPD four years ago, CCPD Chief Clint Nichols said during a press conference on Monday.
He was assigned as a patrol officer and was a member of the department’s traffic unit before he was promoted to the rank of detective earlier this year.
“Detective Holland was an exceptional police officer, a devoted husband and father, and a great man,” Chief Nichols said. “He was an exceedingly bright person with a great attitude. He was one of our most enthusiastic employees and he almost always seemed to have a smile on his face.”
Det. Holland eagerly took on any task he was given, and “brought his ‘A-game’ every day,’” the chief added.
Det. Holland leaves behind his wife, Amanda, and his two young children.
“While our entire community shares in this loss, we especially offer our heartfelt condolences to them, all his family and friends, our CCPD family, and all those who were touched by his service,” he said.
Chief Nichols also offered his condolences to the family of Dominguez, a talented artist who was born and raised in Commerce City.
“They lost someone who they genuinely loved in what appears to just be a senseless act that did not have to occur,” he said.
37 year old Commerce City Police Officer Curt Holland and 31 year old Francesca Dominguez were both killed in this tragic crash.
The pickup driver, 45 year old Fructoso Rosales-Cano, sustained serious injuries. Alcohol and excessive speed are being investigated as factors. https://t.co/QULhkKplhW pic.twitter.com/9JbU8BxxpZ
— Colorado State Patrol (@CSP_News) October 17, 2020
RIP. Detective Curt Holland was killed by a drunk driver when he was struck in a head-on collision. #rip #hero #endofwatch #DetectiveCurtHolland #CommerceCityPoliceDepartment #lawenforcement #thinblueline #bluelivesmatter #backtheblue #becarefuloutthere pic.twitter.com/eN3K1pG9Ol
— Protecting the Blue (@protectingblue) October 18, 2020
It is with heavy hearts that we send our condolences to the Commerce City Police Department and the families of both Officer Curt Holland and the other victim of the tragic vehicle accident. Please keep them in your prayers! pic.twitter.com/egQzCSfbZT
— Denver Sheriff (@DenverSheriff) October 18, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Commerce City Police Department Detective Curt Holland, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
