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BOULDER, Colo. — A man suspected of killing a Colorado State Patrol cadet and seriously injuring a trooper was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder by a Boulder County jury on Wednesday.

Christopher Gebers, 28, struck and killed cadet Taylor Thyfault and injured trooper Clinton Rushing on Highway 66 near Weld County Road 1 in May 2015.

Cadet Taylor Thyfault and Trooper Clinton Rushing. (Photo: GoFundMe)
Cadet Taylor Thyfault and Trooper Clinton Rushing. (Photo: GoFundMe)

Investigators said Gebers was speeding away after a trooper tried to pull him over near Highway 66 and Interstate 25 because he had blue headlights on his car.

The CSP said Thyfault, 21, and Rushing, 37, were helping with an accident and tried to put out stop sticks to try to stop Gebers, who was heading toward the accident scene at a high rate of speed.

Gebers then allegedly swerved to try to avoid the stop sticks, hitting Rushing before losing control and striking Thyfault, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Rushing was hospitalized with critical injuries.

Tow truck driver Rusty Melvin said he believes Thyfault saved his life by telling him to get out of the way as the vehicle came toward them.

Troopers said Gebers told them the accelerator in his vehicle got stuck. Witnesses said Gebers was traveling 80 mph to 90 mph at the time of the accident.

Gebers showed very little emotion in court as the verdict was read.

“Taylor, your death serves as a reminder of evil’s existence, but the way you lived your life also serves as a reminder of evil’s extinction. We will live fiercely as you watch over us,” Thyfault’s mother, Carol Alder, said after the verdict was read.

Gebers will be sentenced Nov. 4. His attorney told the judge that delaying the sentencing is an “outrage” and a “complete waste of everyone’s time.”

  • Taylor Thyfault, age 21, was a cadet in training with Colorado State Patrol and worked for the US Army. He was killed on May 23, during a crash investigation. (Photo: Facebook)
    Taylor Thyfault, age 21, was a cadet in training with Colorado State Patrol and worked for the US Army. He was killed on May 23, during a crash investigation. (Photo: Facebook)
  • Taylor Thyfault, age 21, was a cadet in training with Colorado State Patrol and worked for the US Army. He was killed on May 23, during a crash investigation. (Photo: Facebook)
    Taylor Thyfault, age 21, was a cadet in training with Colorado State Patrol and worked for the US Army. He was killed on May 23, during a crash investigation. (Photo: Facebook)
  • Taylor Thyfault, age 21, was a cadet in training with Colorado State Patrol and worked for the US Army. He was killed on May 23, during a crash investigation. (Photo: Facebook)
    Taylor Thyfault, age 21, was a cadet in training with Colorado State Patrol and worked for the US Army. He was killed on May 23, during a crash investigation. (Photo: Facebook)