Deputy Crawls Into Crashed Vehicle to Help Rescue Children

Published on December 18, 2025

December 17, 2025

Melissa Chesmore, PRO

Weld County Sheriff’s Office

(970) 400-2809, Desk

Weld County Deputy Crawls into Crashed Vehicle to Help Rescue Two Trapped Children

[Weld County, Colo.] WCSO Patrol Deputy, Cody Kollath exemplifies the kind of deputy you hope is first on scene during an emergency. He is quick-thinking, selfless, and decisive. So, when he responded to a single-vehicle car crash with two children trapped inside the car, he did not hesitate to try and rescue them.

The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) confirmed in a press release, the traffic crash Deputy Kollath responded to yesterday, around 11 P.M., was tragically, a double fatal, single-vehicle crash that happened on Weld County Road 33, south of Highway 392.

When Deputy Kollath arrived, along with other first responders, the car was tipped on its side. Deputy Kollath immediately squeezed his body through the broken glass of the rear windshield while the underside of the vehicle was on fire. Thankfully, bystanders were able to extinguish the fire.

While inside the vehicle, Deputy Kollath communicated the conditions of the children to other first responders. He remained in the vehicle with the two children to reassure and comfort them. The fire department cut a hole in the car big enough to stabilize one of the trapped children, and Deputy Kollath assisted fire personnel with lifting the child out of the car. The second child was removed by fire personnel who were able to push through the hole in the car, stabilize the child, and remove him. Both children were transported to the hospital. The CSP press release provides details regarding the children’s condition, and the on-going traffic crash investigation.

We are deeply grateful to all the first responders and bystanders who assisted in putting out the fire and rescuing the two children involved in the crash. We are especially proud of Deputy Cody Kollath for his courageous actions and willingness to step up in a critical moment.

The Colorado State Patrol’s Vehicular Crimes Unit is leading the investigation into the crash. CSP is asking if you witnessed the incident and have not yet spoken with investigators, please contact Colorado State Patrol Dispatch at (303) 239-4500 and reference case number VC250467.