Sterling Street Racing Crash Sends Car Through Local Floral Shop

Sterling police say a late evening crash involving two vehicles ended with one car striking the front doors of Cattleya Floral and coming to rest inside the shop, causing extensive damage to the business and the Steele Terrain building. Officers responded to the 300 block of Chestnut Street at about 9 54 p.m., and found the Ford Crown Victoria driven by 20 year old Sterling resident Damien Curtis had crossed a median, knocked over a light pole, traversed westbound lanes and entered the storefront.

Investigators determined two vehicles were engaged in street racing while traveling eastbound in the 400 block of East Chestnut Street. The driver of the second vehicle, identified as 20 year old Sterling resident Corey St. Laurent, did not crash and remained on scene. No injuries to bystanders were reported. Curtis and a passenger sustained injuries but were treated and released from medical care before Curtis was taken to the Logan County jail.

Curtis was booked on multiple state charges that reflect both traffic and criminal allegations. Charges listed by law enforcement include CRS 42 4 130 1 a, driving under the influence. They also include CRS 42 4 1301 2 A, DUI per se with a blood alcohol level of 0 08 or higher, CRS 42 4 1401 1, reckless driving, and CRS 18 3 208, reckless endangerment, a class 2 misdemeanor. Additional counts allege engagement in a speed contest under CRS 42 2 138 1 d I, driving with license restrictions related to alcohol under the same statute citation, operation of an uninsured motor vehicle under CRS 42 4 1409 1, an open container violation under CRS 42 4 1305, violation of a protection order under CRS 18 6 803 5 1 a, and minor possession or consumption of alcohol under CRS 18 13 122 3 B a.

The crash raises immediate concerns for local residents about street racing and public safety on Chestnut Street, a corridor that runs through Sterling s commercial district. Business owners and customers face the direct consequences of property damage and temporary disruption of services when a vehicle leaves the roadway and impacts a storefront. The uninsured vehicle allegation carries implications for recovery of damages by the business and by property owners, potentially shifting burden to municipal or private insurers and to civil claims.

For law enforcement and local officials the incident underscores enforcement and prevention priorities. Street racing investigations can involve multiple criminal and traffic statutes, and successful prosecutions depend on evidence gathered at the scene including witness statements, vehicle telemetry and blood alcohol results. The addition of an alleged protection order violation and minor possession charges complicates the criminal case and points to overlapping safety and social concerns.

As the case moves through the Logan County legal system, the community will watch for outcomes that speak to deterrence and accountability. In the near term Cattleya Floral remains a reminder that reckless driving can have dramatic effects on small businesses and public safety in Sterling.