Off-duty officer killed on motorcycle

**121Traffic** · 07-15-09, 07:38 AM

Damn. RIP.

Ches, you work with the guy at all? Either the MC ran the red or, more likely, the minivan failed to yield making a left turn.
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9NEWS.com | Colorado's Online News Leader | Off-duty officer killed on motorcycle

Off-duty officer killed on motorcycle

COLORADO SPRINGS (AP) - A Colorado Springs police officer is dead and an 11-year-old girl is in serious condition after a collision between his motorcycle and a minivan.

The officer, who was off duty, was identified as 34-year-old Michael Builta. He joined the Colorado Springs department in January 2005.

Police say the minivan was driven by 36-year-old Pei C. Lo of Colorado Springs, who wasn't injured in the accident Monday. They say the minivan was turning left when the oncoming motorcycle struck it on the right side.

The driver's daughter, who was in a right rear seat of the minivan, was taken to The Children's Hospital in Denver with a closed head injury. She was listed in stable condition and was expected to recover from her injuries.

Police say the officer wasn't wearing a helmet. The El Paso County coroner's office says Builta died from head injuries.

The motorcycle was his personal vehicle.

No arrests have been made. Police and the district attorney's office are investigating.

Police Chief Richard Myers said Builta is the second Colorado Springs officer to die in an off-duty traffic accident in the last two months.

(Copyright Associated Press, All Rights Reserved)

**Odd** · 07-15-09, 07:47 AM

Rest well Officer Michael Builta. Thank you for your service.

May the young lady recover swiftly and completely.

**Jenna** · 07-15-09, 07:52 AM

Rest in peace.

**Second Chance** · 07-15-09, 08:39 AM

Rest in peace Brother.

**Captain America** · 07-15-09, 09:19 AM

Rest in peace, Ofc. Builta. Hope the little girl recovers fully.

**lewisipso** · 07-15-09, 08:02 PM

RIP

**Buttercup** · 07-15-09, 08:12 PM

Rest in peace.

**CTR man** · 07-15-09, 08:58 PM

My condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the fallen.

Police say the officer wasn't wearing a helmet. The El Paso County coroner's office says Builta died from head injuries.

Just out of curiosity, what are the laws on helmet usage among motorcyclists in Colorado? In many states it is the law for motorcyclists to wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle. Failure to do so is a citeable offense if I am not mistaken. Just because of this very issue. You just never know when someone is going to cut in front of you because they can't see you or aren't looking for you.

**121Traffic** · 07-16-09, 06:27 AM

We don't have a helmet law. Safety glasses only.

**2 Blue 4 U** · 07-16-09, 11:13 PM

Rest in Peace

**ChesCopPodz** · 07-17-09, 04:35 AM

Can't comment due to the ongoing investigation. When it's finalized I'll let you know. From the details, there was fault on both sides. The big question is who was more at fault, that's what they're still trying to figure out.

I didn't work with him but I've met him a few times when the districts overlapped. And like the article said, it's the second off duty officer we've lost to motorcycle crashes in the past couple months.

**Iron Head** · 07-17-09, 04:50 AM

Rest in Peace my brother. Ride on we will meet again.

**E-man** · 07-17-09, 11:33 AM

this sucks....RIP

**iso607** · 07-17-09, 11:45 AM

Rest in peace Brother.

**Ducky** · 08-17-09, 06:59 PM

Update

Woman charged in crash that killed motorcycle driver : Community : KXRM FOX 21

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Colorado Springs Police Department has charged Pei (Laura) Chee Lo, 36, of Colorado Springs with vehicles turning left and careless driving resulting in death in the July 13 crash that occurred at Tutt Boulevard and Barnes Road at about 5:30 p.m.
Lo was served and released via summons and was not booked into jail. She is scheduled to appear in El Paso County Court on September 9 at 9 a.m.
Off-duty police officer Michael Builta, 34, was killed when his Harley Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle crashed into Lo's Chevrolet Venture Mini-van as Lo turned left. Builta was not wearing a helment and died of fatal head injuries.
Lo's 11-year-old daughter was severely injured, but has since recovered from her closed head injury. She and her mother were both wearing safety belts.
Police say there is no evidence of impairment on the part of either driver in the crash. Neither weather nor roadway conditions were a factor in the crash.