Fort Collins, Longmont teachers killed in I-25 crash

A Fort Collins High School science teacher and her husband who taught in Longmont were killed Friday night after being ejected from the SUV they were traveling in along Interstate 25 south of Fort Collins.

Genevieve Sommervold, 30, and Jared Sommervold, 34, of Johnstown, were traveling in a 2007 Lexus SUV about 9:15 p.m. Friday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 25 near U.S. Highway 34, Colorado State Patrol Trooper Alisha Danko said Saturday. The driver, for unknown reasons, went off the right side of the road and over-corrected, causing the vehicle to roll almost two full times before coming to a rest on its side.

Both adults were thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Neither wore seat belts, Danko said. However, a backseat passenger — a girl reported in dispatch records to be about 2 years old — was fastened in a forward-facing car seat and was not seriously injured.

The couple was married, according to the Larimer County Coroner's Office, and online records indicate they had a child in 2014. Their deaths were due to multiple blunt force trauma.

Genevieve Sommervold's online Poudre School District profile indicates she was teaching chemistry and biology this semester at Fort Collins High School. Principal Mark Eversole, in an email to the school on Saturday announcing the news, said counselors and the Poudre School District Mental Health Team would be available beginning Monday morning.

"It can be helpful to process this sad news with your child, knowing that a family discussion can help students begin to work through their grief," Eversole wrote.

He directed anyone needing additional support prior to Monday to SummitStone Health Partners, 1217 Riverside Ave. in Fort Collins. SummitStone can be reached by phone at 970-494-4200.

Jared Sommervold was a science teacher and coach at Longmont High School, the district confirmed. A trauma response team will also be at that school first thing Monday morning.

"Mr. Sommervold was a beloved teacher and coach at Longmont High. He made a considerable impact on many students and staff in his five-year tenure," Principal Rick Olsen wrote in a letter to parents. "Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed."

CSP said neither excessive speed nor impairment were suspected in the wreck.

"It's unknown why the vehicle went off the right side of the roadway," Danko said.

Investigators are working to determine who was driving the vehicle and figure out what might have contributed to the crash.

The fatalities marked the 34th and 35th deaths on Larimer County roadways this year. By this time last year, 31 people had died, according to records maintained by the Coloradoan and the Larimer County Coroner's Office. Twenty-four people died in both 2014 and 2013, 26 died in 2012, and 20 died in 2011.

Helping students in traumatic situations

• Encourage students to talk about how they are feeling.
• Be aware of excessive and often inaccurate information posted on social media.
• Validate your student’s feelings. In trauma situations all feelings are acceptable.
• Actively listen to your student, but refrain from trying to rationalize the death.
• Help clear up misconceptions.
• Arrange support for yourself and your family as necessary.
• Affirm your student’s ability to cope and heal.

Source: Longmont High School Principal Rick Olsen

Reporter Jason Pohl covers public safety for the Coloradoan. Follow him on Twitter: @pohl_jason.