A devastating rollover crash in the Colorado high country has claimed the life of 17-year-old John Fiedelman, a Summit High School senior, while three other teenagers survived with injuries. The accident occurred late Sunday on Gold Run Road, a steep and winding stretch northwest of Breckenridge.
According to investigators, Fiedelman was behind the wheel of a Jeep that veered off the roadway, struck a rocky embankment, and overturned multiple times before coming to rest on its roof. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
The Summit County Coroner’s Office identified Fiedelman, noting he had recently returned to the area for his final year of high school. Known for his adventurous spirit and commitment to friends and teammates, his sudden passing has left classmates, teachers, and community members devastated.
The three passengers — ages 15, 16, and 18 — were rushed to a nearby hospital with injuries described as serious but non-life-threatening. Authorities said all are expected to recover. While speed and road conditions are being examined as possible factors, investigators reported no evidence of impairment.
In the wake of the tragedy, Summit High School administrators have mobilized crisis counselors to provide support for grieving students and staff. A makeshift memorial has already begun to grow at John’s school parking space, where friends have left flowers, notes, and photos in his honor.
Community members described Fiedelman as outgoing, adventurous, and fiercely loyal. “He was the kind of person who made everyone feel included,” one classmate said. A candlelight vigil is being planned to celebrate his life and provide comfort to those mourning this heartbreaking loss.