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Inset: Michael Graham-Hyde (Aurora Police Dept.). Background: Rafael “Alberto” Buitrago (GoFundMe).
A 73-year-old man in Colorado is facing felony charges after he allegedly killed a pedestrian and the pedestrian’s dog in a hit-and-run crash earlier this month, telling authorities that he was in a “dream state” at the time of the collision due to international travel. Michael Graham-Hyde turned himself over to authorities earlier this month on one misdemeanor charge of careless driving resulting in death and one felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, authorities announced.
According to a news release from the Aurora Police Department, officers at about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, responded to a call about a crash involving a pedestrian at the intersection of East Wesley Drive and East Casparian Circle, about 15 miles southeast of Denver.
The victim, later identified as 65-year-old Rafael Alberto Buitrago, was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the facility.
The victim’s dog was reportedly killed instantly.
Police said that at about 2:45 a.m. on April 4, Graham-Hyde turned himself over to authorities and was placed under arrest. Authorities said they do not believe the incident involved drugs or alcohol, but emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing.
Several witnesses told investigators that an individual in a light-colored SUV was spotted driving at a high rate of speed on the road before veering onto the sidewalk, where the vehicle struck Buitrago and his dog, Denver CBS affiliate KCNC reported.
A probable cause affidavit obtained by Denver Fox affiliate KDVR provided additional details about the circumstances of Buitrago’s untimely death.
According to the report, Graham-Hyde told investigators that on the day of the crash, he had flown from Thailand back home to Denver with a connecting flight in Germany. After arriving at his residence, the defendant reportedly ran a few errands, which is when he allegedly struck Buitrago.
“Michael believes he fell asleep while driving and was in a dream state when the collision with the pedestrian occurred,” the document states.
At the time of the crash, Graham-Hyde reportedly said that he had been awake for about 38 hours consecutively, but snapped out of it after he felt “a big bump.” He reportedly got out of the car to see what had happened and then “panicked,” per KCNC. However, he said he spotted another car coming down the road and knew the victim would receive medical care.
The officer who took Graham-Hyde’s statement said that he was genuinely upset, Denver NBC affiliate KUSA reported. He reportedly said that when he looked at the Next Door app, he saw details about his car and information that the victim of the collision had died, and he went to turn himself in.
Graham-Hyde was released from jail on April 18, after posting bond of $10,000 and is due back in court on May 1.
A GoFundMe page for Buitrago started by his widow’s niece described him as a “quiet, kind, and selfless man.”
“He cared deeply for my aunt and her family, always helping without ever asking for anything in return,” the page says. “He made sure she was always surrounded by small acts of love—from keeping her vases full of fresh flowers to making sure she never ran low on her favorite lotions and perfumes. He wasn’t perfect, but to my aunt, he was the ideal husband.”
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