‘Everything could’ve been over’ – KRDO’s Chase Golightly reflects on horrific wreck in Pueblo

On Thursday, July 23rd, NewsChannel 13’s Chase Golightly was involved in a horrifying car wreck in Pueblo, a crash that sidelined him for about a week. On Wednesday, Golightly returned to the station.

"I'm feeling okay all things considered," said Chase Golightly during a sit down Wednesday. "[I] Still have pain around my neck and my shoulders, but I am still doing okay."

Physically, Golightly says he is recovering. But the KRDO reporter of nearly three years won’t deny it; the wreck has definitely shaken him mentally.

“It really didn’t hit me until the next day or maybe the day after that. Everything could’ve been over,” says Golightly.

Thursday night, Golightly was on assignment at CSU-Pueblo, previewing some graduation ceremonies that would be held for D60 students.

After his live report, Golightly and his photographer left in separate vehicles, making their way back to Colorado Springs.

While driving westbound on Cesar Chavez Highway in Pueblo, Golightly says he spotted headlights coming straight for him.

“I just remember him dipping into the median, and at that point when I saw that I thought, 'is this really happening?'" says Golightly. "He launched himself up into my lane, and began to roll. When I saw that, I braced myself and I slammed on my brakes, gripping the steering wheel. I don’t believe I was knocked unconscious, but I don’t remember the actual crash. I don’t remember the sound that the crash made.”

Golightly was taken to Parkview Medical Center by a KRDO photographer and was released with minor injuries.

The other driver wasn’t so lucky.

27-year old William Davey is still hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Davey faces faces a DUI charge and did not have proof of insurance. Pueblo Police say Davey, who was driving a Grey SUV, could also face reckless (felony) or careless (traffic misdemeanor) driving charges as well.

“I think about [the crash] a lot,” says Golightly. "There are times where I think, 'What if it wasn’t me in the car? What if it was a mom and her child?' Things could’ve been a lot worse.”

Golightly says he has received a ton of encouraging messages from members of the Southern Colorado community, and thanks everyone for their support throughout the past week.