Woman reported missing found dead in car crash, police and family confirm
Update: 46-year-old Jennifer Cleland of Colorado Springs, who was reported missing by family members Sunday, has died in a single-vehicle accident, police confirmed Tuesday morning.
At approximately 6:36 a.m. CSPD was notified of a single vehicle crash, located off the roadway in the 1900 block of South Circle Drive, according to a release from the department.
At the scene, officers located a vehicle in the 2100 block of South Circle Drive. Inside the vehicle they found a deceased female. The Major Crash Team responded and assumed responsibility of the investigation.
Upon preliminary investigation, officers determined that a blue Dodge Stratus was traveling northbound on South Circle Drive when it drove off the right-hand shoulder of the road, down an embankment, and hit a tree.
The driver was identified as Jennifer Cleland, who was reported missing Sunday, August 18 by family members after she failed to return home from a shopping trip on Saturday.
Cleland’s brother, Richard Masson, told KRDO, “It’s unbelievable, she’s such a safe driver.” However, Masson says he doesn’t think the crash in and of its self is suspicious.
It’s unknown at this time if speed or impairment were factors in the crash.
Edit: Cleland’s age was previously reported as 47. According to the Coroner’s Office, her age was 46 at the time of her death.
Check back at KRDO.com for updates.
Previous story:
Colorado Springs police are looking into a missing person’s case involving 47-year-old Jennifer Cleland.
According to family members, Cleland was last seen Saturday around 7:30 p.m. at the Walmart on N. Union and Lelaray St.
Cleland’s brother reports, employees at the Walmart say they saw a lady with coffee buy groceries and then leave the store. A short time later a man was seen pushing her cart into the store with the coffee and all the groceries inside. Walmart is following protocol and is working to report what they saw to the police.
Family members say Cleland lives less than a mile away from the grocery store with her mom and nephew. Her last contact was a text message to her son.
She is described as 5’2″, 230 lbs, dark brown hair with red highlights and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing pink flip-flops and a black shirt with pants.
She drives a navy blue 2006 Dodge Stratus four-door with tinted windows.
Cleland’s family is desperate for help and answers – if you have any information contact police.
KRDO will continue to bring you updates on this developing story.
