Colorado Teacher Found Guilty of Killing Child While Texting Behind the Wheel

Mar. 15, 2025

Oliver “Ollie” Stratton.Photo:Courtesy of Clarissa and Rod Stratton (2)

Courtesy of Clarissa and Rod Stratton (2)

A Colorado teacher was found guilty Friday of killing a 10-year-old child while texting behind the wheel of her car.

Around 6 p.m. on Aug. 2, 2023, Weiss was driving an Audi SUV and looking at her phone when she struck Oliver “Ollie” Stratton, who was riding his bike on Saddle Horn Drive in Timnath. Stratton was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead,according to ABC 7 Denver, citing the local sheriff.

She admitted to having sent and received texts while driving just before the crash occurred — and promptly deleting the messages,the Coloradoan reported. Just before her trial started on Dec. 16, Weiss pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence, the outlet reported.

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Weiss is set to be sentenced on the misdemeanor charges on March 7, where she faces up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine,per KUSA 9.

“We call on Colorado and other states nationwide to pass tougher laws and harsher penalties that will truly hold distracted drivers accountable,” said Stratton’s parents. “The District Attorney’s office did everything it could under the current system, but we all must do more.”

source: people.com